SAN JOSE’S HOME WINNING STREAK SNAPPED IN 4-2 LOSS TO ROCKFORD
Jan 12, 2018
SAN JOSE, CA - The San Jose Barracuda (16-15-0-2) fell to the Rockford IceHogs (21-15-1-2) by a score of 4-2 at SAP Center on Friday night, ending a four-game winning streak on home ice.
The IceHogs dominated the opening period offensively, carrying a 14-to-4 advantage on shots along with three power play opportunities to San Jose’s zero. Despite fighting to get out of their own zone throughout the first 20 minutes of play, the Barracuda went 3-for-3 on the penalty kill, but Matheson Iacopelli (9) ripped the periods only goal past Troy Grosenick on an even-strength two-on-one at 5:40 to give Rockford a 1-0 lead.
The Barracuda tied the score early in the second period with their first power play goal in 27 attempts, coming from Julius Bergman (4) who fired a wrister from the right circle at the 5:36 mark, set-up by a cross-ice feed from teammate Danny O’Regan. The IceHogs would regain the lead with a goal from Tyler Sikura (10) just under four minutes later and would add to it with a score from Tanner Kero (3) at the 14:02 mark, giving them a 3-1 advantage heading into the third.
San Jose failed to convert on multiple scoring attempts from point-blank range near the midway point of the final period, but Rudolfs Balcers (8) finally put one away at the 11:28 mark when he collected the puck in front of Rockford netminder Collin Delia after it ricocheted off the skate of an IceHogs defender. The Barracuda pushed to even the game late, but eventually allowed an empty-netter on the power play by Kero (4), his second on the night, with 39 seconds remaining, securing the 4-2 victory for the IceHogs.
San Jose’s Grosenick (5-6-2) took the loss, making 38 saves on 42 shots, while Rockford’s Delia (4-4-0) earned the victory, making 23 saves on 25 shots.
BOX SCORE
The Barracuda continue a four-game homestand with their third consecutive match-up at SAP Center when they face the Bakersfield Condors Monday afternoon. Puck-drop is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Tickets start at just $10 and are available for purchase at SJBarracuda.com/tickets.
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