Stockton, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (30-26-8-3, 71pts) presented by Barracuda Networks failed to clinch the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after a 5-4 regulation loss to the host Stockton Heat (32-31-2-2, 68pts) in front 8,041 fans at Stockton Arena on Saturday evening. The Barracuda will need one point to clinch a playoff spot on Sunday at 3pm on FAN APRECIATION DAY at SAP Center vs. the Stockton Heat.
Stockton Heat
Trevor Parkes (2-0-2), Nikolay Goldobin (1-1-2), and Joakim Ryan (0-2-2) all had multi point games for San Jose while Aaron Dell made 23 saves in net in the loss. Nikita Jevpalovs also scored for the Barracuda in a wild game that saw San Jose trail 3-1, lead 4-3, but lose 5-4 in regulation. Kenny Agostino recorded four points (2-2-4) for the Heat as Stockton defeated the Barracuda for the first time this season in regulation.
The Heat grabbed a 3-1 lead in the first period of play as they outshot San Jose 12-8 in the process. Austin Carroll (6th) struck first on the Heat’s 1st shot on goal at 1:50 followed by Emile Poirier (12th) finding the back of the net past Aaron Dell at 3:57. Trevor Parkes (16th) deflected a Nikolay Goldobin shot past rookie netminder Nick Schneider at 8:07 to cut the Heat lead to 2-1. But the Heat struck again on the power play with a one timer drive by Kenny Agostino (22nd) at 18:11 to give Stockton the 3-1 advantage through 20 minutes of play.
San Jose scored three goals in the second period to take a 4-3 advantage into the second intermission. Nikolay Goldobin (20th) fired home a cross ice pass from Joakim Ryan as a power play expired at 1:29 to cut the deficit to 3-2. After the Heat failed to clear the puck, Nikita Jevpalovs (5th) scored on a backdoor play after another great feed by Joakim Ryan at 13:56 to tie the score at 3-3. Just 45 seconds later, Trevor Parkes (17th) went coast to coast with a highlight reel goal at 14:41 to give the Barracuda a 4-3 edge. Shots were 12-10 Barracuda in the middle frame.
Stockton scored twice in an 84 second spell midway through the third period to take a 5-4 lead. Kenny Agostino (23rd) tied the game at 9:31 followed by a wrap-around score by Hunter Shinkaruk (27th) at 10:55 for the eventual game winner. San Jose outshot Stockton 17-5 in the third period but could not find the back of the net on Nick Schneider.
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