Barracuda Even Series Up After 3-2 Win Over Reign
Apr 23, 2016San Jose, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (#4 seed in Pacific) presented by Barracuda Networks defeated the visiting Ontario Reign (#1 seed in Pacific) by the score of 3-2 in front 4,995 fans at SAP Center on Saturday evening in Game 2 of the Best of 5 Pacific Division Semifinals. With the series now tied 1-1, the series will shift to the Citizens Business Bank Arena for Games three, four, and five if necessary.
Ryan Carpenter, Bryan Lerg, and Nikolay Goldobin each found the back of the net while Aaron Dell made 34 saves in net for the victory. Joakim Ryan added three assists from the blue line for San Jose as the Barracuda won their first ever playoff game. Kurtis MacDermid and Jonny Brodzinski scored for the Reign while Peter Budaj made 12 saves in net in the loss.
A lot like Game 1, neither team found the back of the net in a free flowing opening twenty minutes of play. The best chance of the period occurred on a Jonny Brodzinski breakaway but Aaron Dell made a great blocker save with five minutes remaining. Shots were 9-7 Reign in the scoreless first period of play.
The Barracuda struck twice in the middle frame with Ryan Carpenter (1st) getting the first score at 3:58. Jeremy Langlois went crashing in on the fore-check to force a turnover and Joakim Ryan fired a blast from the point that was deflected by Carpenter on top of the crease past Budaj. San Jose went ahead 2-0 after a power move by captain Bryan Lerg (1st) down the right wing side and then cut towards the net and slammed the puck into the cage at 13:37. Aaron Dell made 14 more second period saves and also picked up an assist as the Barracuda took a 2-0 lead into the second intermission.
Kurtis MacDermid (2nd) fired a laser from 50 feet through a screen and past Dell at 2:40 of the third period to cut the deficit to 2-1. But the Barracuda responded back at 8:23 after a perfect give and go move as Jeremy Langlois set up Nikolay Goldobin (1st) for an easy tap in to give San Jose a 3-1 lead. With the goaltender pulled, the Reign made it 3-2 as Jonny Brodzinski (2nd) fired home a one timer at 19:25 but it was too little too late for the Reign as San Jose held on for the 3-2 win.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star Jeremy Langlois (0-1-1) 2nd star: Aaron Dell (34 saves, Win) 1st star: Joakim Ryan (0-3-3)….Final shots were 36-15 in favor of Ontario… Peter Budaj (1-1-0) made 12 saves on 15 shots for Ontario….Aaron Dell (1-1-0) made 34 saves on 36 shots for San Jose…. Troy Grosenick served as the backup goalie for the Barracuda ….San Jose went 0-for-1 on the power play while Ontario went 0-for-4…. Raffi Torres (IR), Danny Doremus (inj), Petter Emanuelsson (inj), Michael Brodzinski, Frazer McLaren, and Alex Gallant did not dress for the Barracuda… Matt Tennyson was recalled from his conditioning assignment by the SJ Sharks earlier in the day… Patrick McNally played his 1st professional playoff game while Gabryel Boudreau made his professional debut for the Barracuda....Aaron Dell (0-2-2) now has a two game point streak…Joakim Ryan added three assists in the win.
Coming up….
On Thursday, Apr 28 at 7pm the Barracuda travel to Ontario, CA to battle the Reign in Game 3 of the best-of-five Pacific Division Semifinals. The series is tied 1-1. Coverage begins live at 7pm on AM 1220 KDOW.
Playoff tickets and 2016-17 season tickets are on sale now by contacting the Barracuda Office at 408-977-4747 or by crashing the net at www.SJBarracuda.com.