Barracuda burned by Firebirds

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda (17-24-8-0) allowed three power-play goals on Wednesday night at Tech CU Arena and were edged 5-4 by the Coachella Valley Firebirds (30-13-4-2).

In the loss, Nathan Todd finished with a goal and two assists and is now leading the team in goals (16) and points (40).

Barracuda goalie Magnus Chrona stops a shot as defenseman Radim Simek attempts to check Devin Shore (94) looking for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

3:28 into the first the Firebirds jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Andrew Poturalski (11) ripped in his team-leading ninth goal of the year on the power play, and then, Max McCormick (24) gave Coachella Valley a 2-0 lead when he beat Magnus Chrona from in tight at 8:04. On its second man advantage of the period, the Barracuda managed to cut the lead back down to one as Kyle Rau (6) directed a rebound in from just off the crease at 9:40.

Firebirds forward Luke Henman moves the puck up ice – Photo by Jack Lima

In the second, the Barracuda waited just 2:21 to level the score as Todd found Scott Sabourin (12) in the slot. Two minutes and five seconds later, on the power play, Todd (16) would go five hole on Chris Driedger to give the Barracuda a 3-2 lead. After the Barracuda were called for a minor penalty, Logan Morrison (11) beat Chrona on the short side at 9:05 to level the score at 3-3.

The Barracuda were called for a minor at the end of the second on the power play, Morrison (12) would give back the Firebirds the lead as he directed in a Kole Lind feed at 1:54 of the final period. Devin Shore (4) made it 5-3 at 18:30 with an empty netter before Jack Studnicka (4) tipped in the Barracuda’s fourth goal to make it 5-4. It would turn out to be too late as the Barracuda fell 5-4 to the Firebirds.

Firebirds goalie Chris Driedger looks behind him as Scott Sabourin’s (not pictured) shot beats him to tie the score 2-2 early in the second period – Photo by Jack Lima

Multiple Firebirds player grab Scott Sabourin (center) after he drew a goaltender interference penalty – Photo by Jack Lima

Kyle Rau (91) celebrates his first period goal with his teammates – Photo by Jack Lima

John Hayden (15) and Artem Guryev (82) fight during first period action – Photo by Jack Lima

Firebirds forward Max McCormick (17) slips a back hand shot past goalie Magnus Chrona for the Firebirds’ second goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda forward Scott Sabourin (49) moves in on goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda forward Scott Sabourin (49) attempts to reach a loose puck as Firebirds defensemen Ville Ottavainen (36) and Peetro Seppala (6) attempt to check him off the puck – Photo by Jack Lima