GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA vs. REIGN
Oct 22, 2016
Game #2 – San Jose (0-1-0-0) at Ontario (2-0-0-0)
6:00 PM PST, Citizens Business Bank Arena, Ontario, California
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Tonight’s Matchup: The Ontario Reign and San Jose Barracuda duel for the first time since the Reign bounced the Barracuda from post-season play last year on April 29 in Ontario, 4-1. It was a deciding game four defeat in a 3-1 loss for the ‘Cuda in the pacific division opening round matchup. The Barracuda went 3-6-3 against the Reign in the regular season in 2015-16 and 1-4-2 at Citizens Bank Arena.
On Saturday, the Barracuda look to capture their first win of the early season before heading home for their home opener against Bakersfield on October 28 at SAP Center in San Jose while the Reign look to stay unbeaten after win over San Diego, 2-0, and Texas, 6-5 in OT.
Players to watch: Barclay Goodrow carried over his impressive 2015-16 campaign by quickly getting on the board for the Barracuda in their opener last Saturday against Stockton. Goodrow appeared in 57 games for the Barracuda last year, posting 39 points (20-19-39), 43 penalty minutes and a plus-10 rating.
Sean Backman set career highs in points in 2015-16, totaling 55 points (21-34-55) with the Reign in 68 games including a team high 11 points (4-7-11) in 12 games against the Barracuda. Through two games thus far, Backman has three points (0-3-3)
Between the Pipes: Veteran net minder Troy Grosenick got the start for the Barracuda in their opener last Saturday at Stockton and took a hard-luck loss despite make several acrobatic saves in the third period. Grosenick is 0-1 on the year with a 3.23 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage after going 11-10-2-2 in 28 games with a 3.16 goals-against average and a .894 save percentage. Mantas Armalis was signed out of the Swedish Hockey League in the off season after posting a 16-16-0 record with Djurgardens with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage. Armalis appeared in two minutes last Saturday when Grosenick had an equipment issue.
Jack Campbell seems to have made the most of his new home, the 11th overall pick by the Dallas Star in 2010 NHL Draft was acquired by the LA Kings this offseason and is 2-0 through two games with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage. Jonah Imoo
Last Time out - Barracuda: The Barracuda traveled to Stockton last Saturday for its opener, but found themselves on the losing end of a tight 3-2 game with the Heat. Barclay Goodrow and Danny O’Regan each scored for San Jose in defeat.
Last Time out - Reign: The Reign needed extra time to defeat the Texas stars in overtime, 6-5, Friday night as Johny Brodzinski was the hero for the Reign at the 56 second mark of OT to move to 2-0 on the season.