GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA VS REIGN
Jan 10, 2019
San Jose Barracuda (21-7-1-3 .719) vs. Ontario Reign (10-17-3-2 .391)
FRIDAY, JAN. 11 | 7:00 P.M.
SAP Center at San Jose | San Jose, Calif.
LISTEN | WATCH | GAME NOTES
Tonight’s Matchup: On Friday, the San Jose Barracuda and Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings) connect for the fifth time this season and third meeting over the last six days. San Jose is off to a 4-0-0-0 start against the Reign this year, which marks the longest winning streak in franchise history against Ontario, and are now above .500 against the Reign for the first time (14-13-5-0). The Kings AHL affiliate is currently on a six-game losing skid which is one game shy of a franchise-worst seven consecutive losses that occurred between the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons. In addition, Ontario has just one win over their last 12 games.
500 in Teal: On October 26, Barracuda captain John McCarthy played in his 500th AHL game. On December 8, McCarthy skated in his 600th career professional game. On Friday, he will appear in his 500th AHL game within the Sharks organization. McCarthy is the Barracuda’s all-time leader in games played (222), points (118), goals (52) and assists (66).
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: Last Thursday, the AHL announced that Barracuda assistant captain Jake Middleton, winger Francis Perron, and goaltender Josef Korenar were all named to the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place in Springfield, Mass. on January 27-28. In addition, Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer will be the Pacific Division’s coaching representative for the AHL All-Star Classic. Middleton was recalled for the first time in his career on Friday.
Blueline Bolster: On Tuesday, the Barracuda recalled defensemen Cody Donaghey and Mike Brodzinski from the Orlando Solar Bears. Brodzinski, the younger brother of Kings forward Jonny Brodzinski, has skated in 61 games with the Barracuda over his three professional seasons, totaling 10 points (2g, 8a). Donaghey was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Senators this summer and is leading all Solar Bears d-men in points (23), goals (9) and assists (14).
Home Sweet Home: After Wednesday’s 3-1, the Barracuda are first in the Western Conference in home winning percentage (11-3-0-1 = .767). In addition, the Barracuda are +21 in goal-differential which is the best in the Pacific Division. Earlier this season, San Jose won eight consecutive games at home.
Yo Joe: 20-year-old rookie netminder Josef Korenar saw his seven-game winning streak come to an end last Friday, but still ranks third in the AHL in goals-against average (2.31), 11th in save percentage (.914) and is T-fourth in wins (13). On Thursday, Korenar was named to the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic, making it three-straight years in which San Jose will send a goalie to the AHL All-Star Classic (Troy Grosenick ’17, Antoine Bibeau ’18, Josef Korenar ’19).
Bibs is Back: After suffering four-straight losses, Antoine Bibeau has won his last two games and has allowed just two goals on 66 shots during the two contests. Bibeau ranks eight in the AHL in goals-against average (2.53) and seventh in save percentage (.916). Bibeau is 3-0 against Ontario this season with a 1.00 GAA and a .969 SV%.
Francis on Fire: Acquired from the Ottawa Senators in the Erik Karlsson trade, Francis Perron is first on the Barracuda in points (27), goals (13), power-play goals (6), shooting percentage (29.5% 2nd in the AHL), T-first in game-winning goals (3) and is fourth in plus/minus (+14). After netting a power-play goal last Friday, Perron has points (7g, 9a) in 11 of his last 14 games including four multi-point games over that stretch. On Thursday, Perron was named to the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic. Perron has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury. Perron has not played since Dec. 30 due to injury.
True or False? After recording just one goal over his first 13 games, Alex True has 10 goals over his last 17, including seven over his last 14 games. On December 16 at Ontario, True notched his first four-point (1g, 3a) game of his career and has 21 points (10g, 11a) over his last 19. True is second on the Barracuda in plus/minus (+16), T-first in game-winning goals and is second in both points (26), goals (11) and is T-second in assists (15).
Mighty Martin: Third-year pro Jon Martin is on a career stretch, notching goals in three-straight games and five points over his last three contests. Through just 26 games, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native has already matched his career goal totals (6) he had accumulated over his first 87 AHL games and is just three points shy matching his career point totals. On Friday, Martin netted the game-winner, added an assist and was awarded first-star of the game honors.
Hard Wood: Acquired in an offseason trade with the Arizona Coyotes, Kyle Wood leads the Barracuda in assists (19), first in plus/minus (+17) and is T-fourth in points (21). Wood was an AHL All-Star in 2016-17 and was named an AHL All-Rookie member after totaling 43 points (14g, 29a) with the Tucson Roadrunners. On Saturday, in Ontario, Wood skated in his 150th career AHL game.