Saturday Showdown: Barracuda vs. Wranglers
The San Jose Barracuda are riding high as they head back to Tech CU Arena for a Saturday clash against the Calgary Wranglers. With a two-game winning streak under their belts, the Barracuda have been fierce at home, winning six of their last seven and racking up an impressive 33 goals in the process.
Their dominance over Calgary's affiliate is clear, boasting a 5-0 record this season and outscoring them 23-7. Their last encounter was a decisive 7-2 victory on January 31.
Last Time Out: A Comeback Thriller
The Barracuda showed their resilience on Wednesday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to edge out the San Diego Gulls 4-3 in a shootout at Pechanga Arena. After a rocky start, with San Diego leading 2-0 in the first period, Jimmy Huntington and Oliver Wahlstrom stepped up in the second to level the score.
Luca Cagnoni gave San Jose the lead in the third, only for Ryan Carpenter to equalize with just five seconds on the clock. In the shootout, Igor Chernyshov and Kasper Halttunen sealed the deal, with Laurent Brossoit standing tall in net.
The team excelled on special teams, going 1-for-5 on the power play and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Comeback Kings
This latest win marks the Barracuda's 20th comeback victory of the season. Their tenacity is evident as they now stand 8-12 when trailing after the first period and 12-13-1-0 when conceding the game's first goal.
Big Tuna Making Waves
Kasper Halttunen is making a name for himself, notching his first professional hat trick last Sunday and clinching the shootout winner on Wednesday. The 20-year-old rookie now has 10 goals this season, placing him second among Barracuda rookies. His knack for scoring was honed during his time with the London Knights, where he recorded five hat tricks, including four in the playoffs, and helped secure the Memorial Cup.
Woah, Wahlstrom!
Oliver Wahlstrom is on fire, contributing three points on Sunday and adding another goal on Wednesday. The former 11th overall pick is tied for fourth in the league with 10 power-play goals and leads the Barracuda in goals and power-play tallies. He's closing in on the franchise record for power-play goals in a season, set at 14 by Danil Gushchin in 2024-25.
Musty Returns with a Bang
Quentin Musty made a triumphant return after an eight-game absence due to an upper-body injury, scoring the game-winner in an 8-4 victory over Henderson. Among league rookies, he's tied for third in power-play goals and ranks second in power-play points.
Fil the Thrill
Filip Bystedt got the call-up to the Sharks, marking a milestone in his career. Despite missing the AHL All-Star Game due to injury, he leads the Barracuda in points and is a key player in clutch situations, with two overtime game-winners this season. His eight-game point streak earlier in the year is one of the longest in franchise history.
Lund's All-Star Call
Cam Lund, despite being sidelined with an injury, made his mark at the AHL All-Star Classic. Before his injury, the rookie was in fine form, recording points in six of his last seven games. After wrapping up his collegiate career at Northeastern, he made a solid transition to the pros, contributing to the Sharks' lineup last season.
The Barracuda are proving to be a force in the league, showcasing depth, resilience, and a flair for the dramatic. As they face the Wranglers, fans can expect another thrilling chapter in their exciting season.