SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda punched their ticket to the second round of the Pacific Division Semifinals. The teams went into last night’s game tied at two games each, but following an intense overtime game, Ryan Carpenter scored the game winning goal for the Barracuda on home ice, with a final of 2-1.
The game started with David Rittich in the net for Stockton, stopping all 15 shots he faced, but it appeared he may have sustained an injury during the first period action. Jon Gillies took the net duties for the duration of the game, stopping 37 of 39 shots on net in the remaining frames. During the second period, Gillies set a single period record for shots faced, turning away 23.
Andrew Mangiapane (26) battles Joakim Ryan along the boards – Photos by Jack Lima
The Heat’s Jamie Devane opened the scoring for the Heat in the second period, when his shot beat Troy Grosenick, glove side at 10:38. The Heat lead until midway through the third period.
Timo Meier’s shot from the circle at 9:47 of the third period went to the back of the net for the Barracuda and tied the game, ultimately forcing the extra period.
Dillon Dube (R) collides with Kevin LaBanc – Photos by Jack Lima
When Joakim Ryan was called at 8:39 of the overtime period after hitting the puck out of play, and called for delay of game, the Heat fans thought the extra man-advantage would be just what was needed to end the game in their favor. However, a loose puck near the Barracuda Blue line was skated towards the net by Barclay Goodrow, then passed in front of the net and slammed home by Carpenter for the game win, on a short-handed goal, after 8:52 minutes of overtime play.
Following the game, Mark Jankowski talked about that game ending goal by the Barracuda.
Rasmus Andersson (14) tries to clear John McCarthy (17) away from in front of Heat goalie Jon Gillies – Photos by Jack Lima
“The puck hopped over the defenseman’s stick and that put us in a bad position there and there was a race to puck and their guy had the edge and he slid it over and [Ryan Carpenter] made a great play and shot it in. Obviously, on a power play it’s a tough way to end it. This feeling hurts, but you have to take the positives from this season like the way we got into the playoffs and build on it into the summer.”
Coach Ryan Huska’s comments following the Heat loss were positive, despite the loss. The team played hard and never gave up.
Dissapointed Stockton Heat players await the post game hand shake – Photos by Jack Lima
“In every year, you try to raise the level of your group and you try to get your culture to a point where the expectation is winning all the time and last year we weren’t able to accomplish that like we wanted. I think this year we were able to get some of our younger players developed and at the same time we found our way into the playoffs and I think we were a dangerous team to play against. I think know it’s important for us to recognize the importance of expectation. We expect to be a playoff team every year, no matter what our lineup looks like, no matter how young, how old we are, and I think we’ve raised our bar for our expectation for what we want here in Stockton.”
Jacon Middleton (L) shakes Matt Frattins’s hand after the game – Photos by Jack Lima
Grosenick got the win for San Jose after 27 saves for the game.
The Barracuda will advance and face the San Diego Gulls. The Gulls advanced only a few minutes before the end of the game, following a five game series with the Ontario Reign.
San Jose Barracda players celebrate overtime win in game five – Photos by Jack Lima
San Jose Barracda and Stockton Heat players participate in the post series hand shake – Photos by Jack Lima
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