GAME PREVIEW: BARRACUDA VS GULLS
Apr 3, 2019
San Jose Barracuda (35-20-3-4 .621) vs. San Diego Gulls (33-23-4-3 .579)
WED, APR. 3 | 7:00 PM
SAP Center at San Jose | San Jose, CA
LISTEN | WATCH | GAME NOTES
Gull Hunting: The Barracuda return home on Wednesday to take on the San Diego Gulls in the first game of a three-game home stand. San Jose is 3-4-0-1 against the Anaheim Ducks affiliate and are coming off a win over SD in the most recent meeting on March 27, 3-2. The Barracuda have a game-in-hand and a four-point lead on San Diego for the second spot in the Pacific Division.
Let’s go Streaking: The Barracuda enter Wednesday’s matchup having won their last three games, including their last two at home. The Barracuda began the three-game winning streak with a win at San Diego and have outscored their opponents 14-0 over their last two home games. The Barracuda boast the AHL’s 11th best home winning percentage (.677) and the 2nd best in the Pacific Division.
Sparking Special Teams: The Barracuda are a perfect 16-for-16 on the penalty kill over their last four games and are now ranked T-ninth (82.2%) in the AHL on the PK. In addition, the Barracuda have found the back of the net on the power-play in their last three games (4/11 = 36%).
The Truth: Barracuda forward Alex True collected a pair of assists on Saturday and now ranks first on the Barracuda in points (51), goals (23), second in assists (28), second in plus/minus (+15), third in points-per-game (.82) and first in game-winning goals (5). True’s five GWG are tied for the most in a single season in Barracuda history.
Dynamic Dezy: Barracuda defenseman Nick DeSimone extended his point streak (three goals, seven assists) to a career-high eight games on Saturday when he collected a pair of assists against Bakersfield. DeSimone ranks sixth among AHL d-men in points (46) and T-fifth in goals (13).
Great Gambino: The Sharks reassigned rookie forward Dylan Gambrell to the Barracuda on Monday after appearing in a pair of games in the NHL over the last week. Gambrell ranks 14th among AHL first-year players in points (41), T-5th in goals (18), T-11th in points-per-game (.91), and T-15th (131).
Mac Attack: Barracuda Captain John McCarthy scored a pair of goals in San Jose’s 5-0 win over Ontario on Friday and now ranks first in Barracuda history in games played (252), points (131), goals (58), assists (73), power-play goals (16) and shorthanded goals (5).
New Faces: The Sharks assigned Marcus Vela to the Barracuda on Wednesday after the conclusion of his collegiate career at New Hampshire. So far, through three games, Vela has collected a pair of assists. On Sunday, the Sharks assigned Vladislav Kotkov from Chicoutimi Saguenéens of the QMJHL to the Barracuda. Kotkov signed as a free with the Sharks in July.
Joe the Wall: Barracuda rookie netminder Josef Korenar earned his 21st win of the season on Saturday and now ranks 13th in wins and T-third in shutouts (4). Among first-year AHL goaltenders, Korenar is third in goals-against average (2.57), third in save percentage (.910) and second in wins (21).