Barracuda earn point in loss to Wranglers on skills

San Jose, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (18-25-0-4) scored three goals in the third period on Friday at Tech CU Arena in front of 3,019 fans and erased three different deficits in the game to earn a point in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Calgary Wranglers (33-11-2-0).

Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi (32) makes a glove save as he receives a snow shower from Cole Schwindt (10) – Photo by Jack Lima

A scoreless first would finally get a goal at 18:49 when Emilio Pettersen poked the puck loose from under Eetu Makiniemi’s glove from along the left side of the net and Kevin Rooney (3) guided it into the cage from the low-slot to open the scoring. Each team had a pair of power plays in the first 20 minutes and would record eight shots a piece as the Wrangles carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Andrew Agozzino (16) got San Jose on the board in the second as he swiped in a rebound on the power play at 10:42 after Martin Kaut had swung a shot on net from the left point. Calgary snatched their lead back when Clark Bishop (5) redirected a centering pass from Walker Duehr (14) at the 16:11 mark as Duehr carried the puck down the right wing. On its fifth power play of the night, Calgary would extend its lead as Adam Klapka (4) filtered a shot past Makiniemi from just above the crease.

Just 33 seconds into the third, William Eklund (13) cut the lead down to one when he fired in an Artemi Kniazev feed. At 5:42, Max Veronneau (1) hit Tristen Robins (10) with a perfect pass as he crashed the net, leveling the score at 3-3, and in the process snapping a 16-game goalless drought for the rookie forward. The tie was short-lived as the Wranglers stole their lead right back with a Pettersen (12) snipe from the slot. But once again the Barracuda would tie it up. This time on the power play at 9:59 as Eklund (14) weaved his way through a pair of Wranglers before snapping a shot stick-side on Daniil Chechelev.

In overtime, the Barracuda would take a penalty 25 seconds into the extra session but would kill it off, thanks to multiple timely blocks by defenseman Patrick Holway. After a scoreless OT, the Barracuda would fall in the shootout after the Wranglers scored on all three chances. Matthew Phillips (25) sealed it for Calgary with the third goal in the shootout.

Makiniemi (8-10-3) made 27 saves on 31 shots in the loss while Chechelev (1-0-0) achieved his first career AHL win with 29 saves on 33 shots.

With Barracuda match report

Andrew Agozzino (right) moves around Daniil Chechelev (1) and defenseman Colton Poolman (5) to score the Barracuda’s first goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Connor Zary (47) grimaces as he finishes a check on Nikolia Knyzhov (71) – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda’s defenseman Antemi Kniazev looks to make a pass wearing special Pink In The Rink uniforms – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda’s defenseman Antemi Kniazev loses his stick as he checks Mitch McLain (6) – Photo by Jack Lima

Emilio Pettersen (center) celebrates his goal with teammates Jeremie Poirier (25) and Cole Schwindt (10) – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda’s defenseman Will Riedell (right) checks Mitch McLain (6) against the boards – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda’s goalie Eetu Makiniemi (32) looks behind him as Emilio Pettersen’s (not pictured) shot eludes him for the Wranglers’ fourth goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Eetu Makiniemi (32) Matthew Phillips (11) and Will Riedell (90) watch a deflected puck – Photo by Jack Lima

Jeremie Poirier (25) and Tristen Robbins (right) grab each other during a second period scrum – Photo by Jack Lima

Wranglers goalie Daniil Chechelev (1) makes a chest save as defenseman Nick DeSimone (27) holds off Andrew Agozzino (26) – Photo by Jack Lima

Wranglers forward Matthew Phillips makes a pass from behind the net – Photo by Jack Lima

Matthew Phillips (11) attempts to move around Barracuda’s defenseman Antemi Kniazev (25) – Photo by Jack Lima

Wranglers goalie Daniil Chechelev (1) makes a glove save on a breakaway attempt by Andrew Agozzino (26) as Emilio Petersen (46) trails the play – Photo by Jack Lima