Saturday Showdown: Barracuda vs. Canucks
The San Jose Barracuda are set to continue their home stretch with a back-to-back against the Abbotsford Canucks. San Jose has been dominant against Vancouver’s affiliate this season, boasting a 4-1-0-1 record and a perfect 2-0 at home.
Winning Wednesday Recap
The Barracuda flexed their muscles with a commanding 5-1 victory over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Five different players lit the lamp, starting with Egor Afanasyev's early power-play goal.
Colin White and Kasper Halttunen added to the tally in the second, while Brendan Hoffmann and Lucas Vanroboys extended the lead to 5-0 in the third. Gabriel Carriere was a wall in net, making 29 saves.
San Jose outshot the Firebirds 37-30 and was lethal on special teams, going 2-for-4 on the power play and killing all five penalties.
Canucks Connection
San Jose has outscored Abbotsford 27-15 across six games this season. As they wrap up their season series, the Canucks, featuring former Barracuda and Sharks players like Cole Clayton and Jack Thompson, are struggling. The defending Calder Cup champs have lost three straight and are far from playoff contention, sitting 16 points out.
Musty's Momentum
Quentin Musty is on a roll, extending his point streak to three games with a goal and an assist. The rookie has been a consistent force, notching points in six of his last seven outings. Drafted 26th overall in 2023, Musty ranks among the top rookies in scoring and goals.
Barracuda Buzzing
San Jose leads the AHL in several categories: goals per game (3.53), power-play percentage (24.8%), and shots per game (32.78). They're also plus-19 in five-on-five scoring and have a plus-33 goal differential. Riding a three-game home win streak, the Barracuda are 7-2-1 in their last ten games.
Brick-Wall Brossoit
Laurent Brossoit has been stellar, improving to 11-2-1 with a recent 4-1 win over the Gulls. With a 2.48 GAA and .915 save percentage, Brossoit has been a key player, allowing just two goals in his last two starts. His performance includes a five-game win streak and a 7-0-1 record over his last seven appearances.
Fil the Thrill
Filip Bystedt continues to impress, recently notching a three-point game. Despite missing some time, he leads the team in scoring and game-winning goals. His contributions are crucial as the Barracuda push for playoff positioning.
Jimmy Jumpin’
Jimmy Huntington celebrated his 300th AHL game with a goal. After overcoming a knee injury last season, he's set career highs in assists and points. Huntington's resilience and recent form have been pivotal for San Jose, contributing 12 points in his last 13 games.
The Barracuda are poised for a strong finish to their homestand, with players firing on all cylinders and a team that's clicking at just the right time.