Barracuda Stay Hot Against Calgary, Extend Dominance With Another Statement Win
The San Jose Barracuda are making a habit of taking care of business against the Calgary Wranglers, and Friday night was no exception. In a commanding 5-1 victory at Tech CU Arena, San Jose flipped the script after an early deficit, pouring in five unanswered goals to remain unbeaten against Calgary this season.
That win pushed the Barracuda to 4-0 against the Wranglers, with a staggering 16-5 scoring margin in those matchups. And on home ice, the numbers get even more lopsided: 2-0 at Tech CU Arena, outscoring Calgary 8-1. Simply put, when these two teams meet, San Jose has had all the answers.
Friday Night Firepower
After conceding late in the first period, the Barracuda responded with the kind of second period that shifts momentum-and then some. Donavan Houle got the comeback rolling with the equalizer, and Filip Bystedt followed with a power-play tally that gave San Jose the lead for good.
From there, the floodgates opened. Anthony Vincent buried a shorthanded goal early in the third, Cam Lund cashed in on the power play, and Nolan Allan added the exclamation point. By the final horn, the Barracuda had outshot Calgary 42-23, converted twice on the man advantage (2-for-5), and secured their 17th come-from-behind win of the season.
Laurent Brossoit was steady between the pipes, stopping 22 of 23 shots and giving his team the foundation they needed to take over.
San Jose’s Home Ice Advantage
The Barracuda are starting to build something at home. Friday marked their third straight win at Tech CU Arena, and they’ve been strong in the second leg of back-to-backs all season, sporting a 6-1-0-2 record in those situations. That’s the kind of resilience and depth that playoff-caliber teams lean on.
Calgary’s Road Woes Continue
For the Wranglers, the struggles away from home persist. Friday’s loss was their eighth straight on the road (0-4-2-2), and they simply couldn’t keep pace with San Jose’s offensive depth. The Barracuda have now mounted two comeback wins over Calgary this season, showcasing their ability to stay composed and strike when it counts.
Offensively, San Jose’s top contributors have feasted on Calgary. Cam Lund, Luca Cagnoni, Colin White, and Quentin Musty all have four-point outings against the Wranglers this year, while rookie Igor Chernyshov leads the way with three goals in the season series.
The Comeback Crew
That 17th comeback win isn’t just a stat-it’s a reflection of this team’s identity. San Jose has made a habit of digging in after falling behind.
They’re now 10-11-1-0 when giving up the first goal and 7-10 when trailing after one period. Those aren’t perfect numbers, but they speak to a squad that doesn’t fold under pressure.
Trade Shakes Up Blue Line
Earlier this week, the Sharks made a notable move, acquiring Kiefer Sherwood from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Barracuda defenseman Cole Clayton and a pair of second-round picks. Clayton, who signed with the Sharks over the summer, played 33 games for the Barracuda this season, tallying five points and logging 21 penalty minutes. His departure opens the door for others on the blue line to step up, and Sherwood brings added firepower to the Sharks’ forward group.
Chernyshov Returns with a Bang
Igor Chernyshov wasted no time making his presence felt after being reassigned to the Barracuda. In his first AHL game since early December, the 20-year-old notched a goal and an assist in a win over Bakersfield.
During his NHL stint, he put up 11 points in 15 games, proving he can hang at the next level. Despite the time away, he still leads the Barracuda in goals with 12-a testament to just how impactful he’s been.
All-Star Bystedt Keeps Rising
Filip Bystedt’s selection to the AHL All-Star Classic was no surprise to anyone following this team. The second-year center has been the engine of San Jose’s offense, leading the team in points (33), assists (21), and game-winners (4), including two in overtime.
He’s already eclipsed his rookie totals in nearly every major category-and he’s done it in 13 fewer games. His eight-game point streak earlier this season ranks among the longest in franchise history, and he continues to be a difference-maker in all situations.
Power Play Clicking at the Right Time
Special teams have become a real weapon for the Barracuda. With a power-play goal in seven straight games (9-for-29, 31%), San Jose now ranks second in the AHL with a 25.8% success rate on the man advantage.
Oliver Wahlstrom leads the charge with eight power-play goals-tied for fourth in the league-while Quentin Musty is making noise among rookies, tied for second in both power-play goals (6) and power-play points (13). Against Calgary, the Barracuda have been especially effective, going 6-for-18 (33.3%) with the extra man.
The Barracuda are heating up, and with another shot at Calgary on Saturday night, they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling. With a potent power play, a deep scoring lineup, and a growing confidence on home ice, San Jose is shaping up to be a team nobody wants to see down the stretch.