Barracuda drop season opener to Icehogs

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Ice hockey season has finally arrived. The teams are set, captains and alternates named. In California, the newly developed team staff has worked feverishly throughout the summer in preparation for tonight’s inaugural game for the San Jose Barracuda. They will call the SAP Center, home of the NHL Sharks home.

Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick makes a save as Tanner Kero looks for a rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

The Barracuda players were introduced to the 6,977 fans in attendance, one by one. And before you knew it, the puck was dropped and their season underway.

Troy Grosenick dives but can’t stop an IceHogs goal – Photo by Jack Lima

The visiting Rockford Icehogs, an affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks were decked in their red sweaters, while the home team wore white.

It only took a minute and a second for the first goal by the visiting team. Tanner Kero slammed the puck from deep in the slot past Troy Grosenick in the Barracuda net. The assists for the goal were given to Jeremy Morin and Marko Dano. Both teams seemed to still be getting a feel for the ice for most of the period. Dennis Rasmussen’s shot from the circle found the back of the net at 14:43. His goal assisted by Kero.

Patrick McNally (51) chases the puck behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima

San Jose’s Michael Haley entered the record books with the teams’ first ever regular season goal with only twelve seconds remaining in the period. During a power play, he moved around the front of the crease, and caught a pass from Nikita Jevpalovs, that he slipped behind Michael Leighton in the net. Scott Timmons was also credited with an assist.

Michael Haley scored the first goal in Baracuda history – Photo by Jack Lima

The sole goal in the second period was a power play equalizer goal from San Jose Captain Bryan Lerg at 13:26 into the period. Mirco Mueller and Haley each had an assist on the play. Unfortunately, that would be the Barracuda’s last goal of the night.

Less than five minutes into the third period, Morin skated toward the net with the puck, then let it fly from the top of the circle, for a passing Kero to redirect from just below the hash marks. Grosenick watched it just slip between his stick and the pipe. Morin put the icing on the cake, at the 8:47 marker after he caught a rebound, circled the net, and then slammed it home for the 4-2 score.

Jeremy Morin (19) draws a hooking penalty from Gus Young (70) – Photo by Jack Lima

That would be the end of the goal scoring. Despite the deluge of attempts after Grosenick was pulled with just under three minutes remaining. The Barracuda just could not find a way to get past Leighton in the net. The Icehogs intercepted a pass and cleared the puck, with a minute remaining, but the puck travelled outside the empty net to be picked up by the Barracuda to take it back down to the offensive end for a couple more attempts, to no avail.

Bryan Lerg (11) looses his balance after receiving a check from Dennis Rasmussen (12) – Photo by Jack Lima

The Icehogs took home game one win, with a final 4-2 score. They also outshot San Jose 41-31 overall. Both of the San Jose goals were power play goals, capitalizing fifty percent of the time. Rockford had five man-advantages, but was not able to score.

“It’s the first time we’ve seen this team. We have a lot to work on. We are going to get better from here,” Haley said after the game. “It’s a development league.

Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick flips the puck after making a save – Photo by Jack Lima

The young guys have their first taste of pro. They have some nerves and don’t quite know the system yet. But, it’s just one of 68 games. We’ll clean it up quick here and get better.”

The Icehogs travel inland to visit the Stockton Heat, for their season opener Saturday night, while the Barracuda get some time to consider this loss until next Thursday, when they host the Heat.