The Barracuda are hitting the road for a two-game weekend series against the Tucson Roadrunners, wrapping up their eight-game season series. Currently, they're even at 3-3 against Tucson, Utah’s affiliate, but they’re looking to bounce back from a 6-4 defeat on March 1 at Tech CU Arena.
On Tucson ice, the Barracuda have split their games, with a thrilling 4-3 overtime win on January 17. Heading into Saturday, they’ve been unstoppable on the road, winning five straight away games and four overall.
In the Western Conference, only the league-leading Grand Rapids outpaces them in road wins, as the Barracuda sit comfortably 10 games above .500 in away contests.
Their latest action saw them return home for a single game on Wednesday, where they dominated the San Diego Gulls with a 4-1 victory. The second period was electric, with Anthony Vincent kicking things off, followed by Oliver Wahlstrom’s quick addition.
San Diego managed to respond with a goal by Tristan Luneau, but Jimmy Huntington’s shorthanded goal re-established the Barracuda’s lead. Filip Bystedt sealed the deal with an empty-netter in the third.
Goalie Laurent Brossoit was stellar, stopping 33 of 34 shots, marking his fifth consecutive win and 11th in 14 games since joining the squad in January.
In their previous matchup with the Roadrunners, the Barracuda faced a tough 6-4 loss, marking their first regulation defeat this year when leading after two periods and when scoring four or more goals. Jimmy Huntington had a standout performance with a Gordie Howe hat trick in the first period, recording two goals, an assist, and a fight. Despite taking an early lead, Tucson fought back, with Scott Perunovich’s breakaway goal sealing the win for them.
On the trade front, the Sharks made a move just before the NHL’s trade deadline, acquiring defenseman Jett Woo in exchange for Jack Thompson. Woo, a former second-round pick, made an immediate impact in his debut, drawing a penalty and finishing with a plus-two rating in the win over San Diego. With a Calder Cup win under his belt from last season, Woo is closing in on 300 AHL games.
The Barracuda are buzzing offensively, ranking second in the AHL for goals per game, leading in power-play percentage, and topping the charts in shots on goal. They’ve outscored opponents 33-20 over the last seven games and have allowed just five goals in their last four. Their recent form is impressive, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 and winning four straight overall.
Laurent Brossoit has been a fortress in goal, boasting a 2.48 GAA and a .915 save percentage over 14 games. He’s on a personal five-game winning streak and was even called up by the Sharks after their backup goalie faced injury issues.
Filip Bystedt, despite missing time due to injury, leads the team in scoring and has already surpassed his rookie year totals. His contributions have been crucial, earning him a nod as the Barracuda’s All-Star selection, though he couldn’t participate due to an upper-body injury.
Jimmy Huntington is having a standout season, setting career highs in assists and points. After a tough previous season cut short by injury, he’s back with a vengeance, contributing significantly over the last 10 games.
The Barracuda have shown resilience all season, notching their 23rd come-from-behind win recently, demonstrating their tenacity and ability to battle back when trailing.