GAMEDAY: BARRACUDA VS REIGN
Jan 9, 2019
San Jose Barracuda (20-7-1-3 .710) vs. Ontario Reign (10-16-3-2 .403)
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9 | 7:00 P.M.
SAP Center at San Jose | San Jose, Calif.
LISTEN | WATCH | GAME NOTES
Tonight’s Matchup: On Wednesday, the San Jose Barracuda and Ontario Reign (Los Angeles Kings) connect for the fourth time this season and the first time in San Jose since opening night on October 5th. San Jose is 3-0-0-0 against the Reign this season and 13-13-5-0 all-time.
Hey Now, You’re an All-Star: On 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 60 games with the Barracuda over his first two 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: Despite a 5-1 loss in its most recent home outing, the Barracuda are T-first in the Western Conference in home winning percentage (10-3-0-1 = .750). The Barracuda are +18 in goal-differential which is the best in the Pacific Division. Earlier this season, the Barracuda won eight consecutive at home.
Yo Joe: 20-year-old rookie netminder Josef Korenar saw his seven-game winning streak come to an end on Friday, but still ranks third in the AHL in goals-against average (2.31), ninth in save percentage (.914) and is T-third 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).
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 T-third in plus/minus (+14). After netting a power-play goal on 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.
True or False? After recording just one goal over his first 13 games, Alex True has 10 goals over his last 16, including seven over his last 13 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 18. True is first on the Barracuda in plus/minus (+16), T-first in game-winning goals and is second in both points (26) and goals (11) and is T-second in assists (15). Wednesday will be the Denmark natives 100th career AHL game played.
Gambrell Good: Prior to Saturday, rookie forward Dylan Gambrell has points in six consecutive games (3g, 5a) and 13-of-14 (6g, 10a). A National Champion at Denver University in 2017, Gambrell is third on the Barracuda in points (22), third in goals (9), fourth in assists (13), T-second in power-play goals (2), and T-first in points-per-game (.92).
Hard Wood: Acquired in an offseason trade with the Arizona Coyotes, Kyle Wood leads the Barracuda in assists (18), T-third in plus/minus (+14) and is T-fourth in points (20). 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.
Youth Movement: The Barracuda enter Saturday with the AHL’s third youngest roster (24.31). The Barracuda are comprised of 13 AHL rookies and five sophomores. Just four players on San Jose’s AHL roster are Sharks draft picks.