The San Jose Barracuda are back in action at Tech CU Arena, kicking off a four-game homestand with a morning matchup against the Coachella Valley Firebirds. It's an exciting time for the Barracuda, who will play 10 of their last 15 regular-season games on home ice.
They've been strong at home lately, winning their last two and posting a 7-2-1 record over their last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Firebirds are coming in hot, riding a four-game win streak, including two thrilling overtime victories against first-place Ontario.
In their last outing, the Barracuda showed resilience but ultimately fell short, losing 5-4 to the Tucson Roadrunners. Despite dominating the shot count 48-22, San Jose gave up three quick goals in the third period, leading to a sweep by Tucson.
After trailing 2-0 early, Jimmy Huntington sparked a comeback with a power-play goal, and the team surged ahead with scores from Brendan Hoffmann, Lucas Vanroboys, and Quentin Musty. However, Tucson's rapid response in the third period sealed the deal.
Goalie Jakub Skarek made 17 saves, while Tucson's Matthew Villalta was a wall with 44 stops.
Looking at the head-to-head with Coachella Valley, the Barracuda hold a six-point lead in the Pacific Division but have struggled, going 1-3 in their matchups this season. They did manage a 2-1 victory in their last meeting on February 4th. With four more games against the Firebirds in the remaining schedule, this rivalry is heating up.
Quentin Musty is a player to watch, scoring in consecutive games and netting six goals in his last six outings. Among rookies, he's making waves, ranking high in power-play goals and assists. Drafted 26th overall by the Sharks in 2023, Musty is proving to be a key piece for the team.
The Barracuda are buzzing with impressive stats, leading the AHL in goals per game, power-play percentage, and shots on goal. They're also showing a strong five-on-five presence, boasting a plus-29 overall scoring margin.
Goalie Laurent Brossoit has been a brick wall, boasting an 11-2-1 record with a 2.48 GAA and a .915 save percentage. He's been on fire recently, winning five straight and allowing just two goals in his last two starts. Brossoit even added an assist to his season tally, showing his all-around game.
Filip Bystedt continues to thrill fans, notching three points in a recent game and leading the Barracuda in scoring. Despite missing some games, he's been a consistent force, topping the team in assists and game-winning goals.
Jimmy Huntington, celebrating his 300th AHL game, has been on a tear with goals in two of his last three games. He's set career highs this season in both assists and points, bouncing back strong after a tough injury last year.
The Barracuda have shown they can be comeback kings, erasing deficits throughout the season. With 23 come-from-behind wins, they're never out of a game. As they gear up for the final stretch, the Barracuda are poised to make some noise in the playoff race.