San Jose Barracuda Fall to the Gulls 3-2 In a Shootout Thriller
Oct 21, 2015
SAN JOSE, CA –The San Jose Barracuda (2-1-0-1, 5pts) presented by Barracuda Networks fell short 3-2 in an exciting shootout loss to the visiting San Diego Gulls (3-0-0-0, 6pts) at the SAP Center on Wednesday evening. The two teams battle again at the SAP Center on Friday night at 7pm.
Bryan Lerg (1-1-2) and Scott Timmins (1-0-1) scored for the Barracuda while Troy Grosenick made 29 saves in net for San Jose in the shootout loss. Nick Ritchie and Stefan Noesen scored for the Gulls in the shootout and John Gibson made 25 saves in net as the Gulls won their third straight game to open the season.
Captain Bryan Lerg (3rd) opened up the scoring at 5:11 in the 1st period off of a second chance rebound. Then at 18:40 Scott Timmins (2nd) scored a short-handed goal off a rebound after a stolen puck and breakaway attempt by teammate Bryan Lerg. Less than two minutes later San Diego answered by scoring a power play goal by Brandon Montour (2nd) with six seconds remaining in the period to cut the lead in half, 2-1. The Barracuda outshot the Gulls 12 to 5 through the first period.
Harry Zolnierczyk (2nd) tied the game up at 2-2 on the power play at 6:26, after he deflected the puck into the net from on top of the crease. The Barracuda incurred all three of the penalties given out through the period. The score remained 2-2 through the end of the period and Barracuda goaltender Troy Grosenick turned away 13 of 14 shots.
Both teams battled through the third period with multiple chances on both sides of the ice. San Jose received two penalties while the Gulls received three with neither team capitalizing on their man up opportunities. Both goalies were staller by turning away all shot attempts. Shots were 29 to 25 in favor of the Gulls at the end of regulation.
After a wild 3 on 3 overtime neither team could put the puck in the back of the net. San Diego had a breakaway attempt at 1:23 that was saved by goaltender Troy Grosenick. Barracuda’s Nikolay Goldobin created a great one on one opportunity half way through the overtime that was saved by Gulls goaltender John Gibson.
In the shootout, San Diego goaltender John Gibson saved both of the two attempts to capture the win. Nick Ritchie scored on the Gulls second attempt with a wrist shot beating Troy Grosenick. Stefan Noesen ended the game on the Gulls third attempt with a quick top shelf backhand to give San Diego the 3-2 road victory.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star: John Gibson – SD (25 Saves) 2nd star: Harry Zolnierczyk – SD (1-0-1) 1st star: Bryan Lerg – SJ (1-1-2)…. Final shots were 32-27 in favor of San Diego… John Gibson made 25 saves on 27 shots for San Diego….Troy Grosenick made 29 saves on 31 shots for San Jose….San Jose went 0-for-2 on the power play while San Diego went 2-for-5… Vincent Arseneau, Julius Bergman, and Adam Helewka did not dress for the Barracuda…Micheal Haley and Mirco Mueller were recalled to the SJ Sharks earlier in the day…forward Melker Karlsson played his first game of the season after missing the first three games due to injury…Scott Timmins had a game high seven shots on goal.
Coming up….
On Friday, the Gulls and Barracuda battle again at 7pm at the SAP Center with the first 4,000 receiving a SJ Barracuda magnet schedule. Coverage begins at 7pm on AM 1220 KDOW.