Barracuda lead series 2-1 | Pro Hockey News

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Stockton Heat trail the San Jose Barracuda in the Pacific Division first round playoffs 2-1, following a failed comeback effort in game three with a final score of 5-3.

The Barracuda scored two goals in the first period. Just under four minutes into the game, Barclay Goodrow caught a pass and beat David Rittich in the net. His goal was assisted by Ryan Carpenter and Nick DeSimone. Daniel O’Regan scored with only a few seconds remaining in the period on his redirected pass from Julius Bergman. Mirco Mueller was also credited with an assist on the play.

Andrew Mangiapane (26) fight to get position in front of Barracuda goalie Troy Grosenick as Tim Heed (72) defends – Photo by Jack Lima

With the Barracuda leading 2-0 after one, the Heat came back from the break fired up, scoring the comeback goals at 11:48 and 13:16 in the period. With Tim Heed serving a high-sticking penalty, and Buddy Robinson in the box for tripping, the Heat had their sixth powerplay opportunity, and a five-on-three chance. San Jose was able to hold them off, but fortunately for the Heat, they finally found a way to beat Troy Gosenick with only a single man-advantage. Heat captain Mike Angelidis’ rebound shot went to the back of the net. Andrew Mangiapane and Mark Jankowski had the assists. A short time later, Brandon Bollig nets one through traffic, and credit to Brett Kulack and Jamie Devane with the assists.

Rourke Chartier (60) attempts to deflect the puck past Heat goalie David Rittich – Photo by Jack Lima

“Obviously, we’re proud of the way we pushed back. You go down 2-0 to a team that’s that good, that game can go one of two ways at that point and I think down the stretch we definitely showed some push back,” said Michael Kostka after the game. “We showed that we have that in us and we just have a really good character room. It’s something that we take pride in. Maybe we could have gotten off to a better start, but I don’t think we played that poorly. We just had to clean up a few little areas. The second period, we showed our push back and in the third, it was a toss-up.”

“I think trying to find a way to get the puck through,” said Angelidis. “If we have to drive it to the net, we have to drive it into the net. Use simple shots and just going to the net. It’s playoff hockey, everyone’s playing their best, everyone’s playing good defense, you have to get pucks to the net and traffic in front. You have to have guys around to pay the price.”

Matt Frattin (19) ans Buddy Robinson (26) fight for position along the boards – Photo by Jack Lima

In the third period, both teams were working the puck furiously. Rittich made a few incredible saves. Grosenick stymied the Heat in the third.

Ryan Carpenter turned the tide for San Jose, when he scored at 15:17. Timo Meier scored again at 16:43. With the Barracuda up 4-2, Stockton turned up the energy. Rittich came out of the net, for the extra man advantage, and with the help of a San Jose penalty, Michael Kostka earn an unassisted goal in the power play, to bring the Heat to within a goal.

Jacob Middleton (67) grabs Garnet Hathaway in front of the Barracuda’s bench – Photo by Jack Lima

The Heat worked the puck, but found few chances. Robinson scored the empty net goal, sealing the Barracuda 5-3 win at 19:45 of the period.

The Heat capitalized on two of seven power play opportunities, while San Jose was zero for three.

Stockton’s coach Ryan Huska commented following the game. ““I thought we were a little too fancy in the first period where we were overpassing at times instead of shooting. I liked good portions of our game here tonight. I thought it was a good hockey game until [San Jose] scored their third goal. I felt that we were coming as the game when the game was tied at 2-2 but they found a way to get the important goal.”

The teams face each other again in Stockton for game four on Sunday.

“Our team always plays their best when we’re in a tough spot and we are right now. We’re facing elimination and the good thing for us is that Sunday’s in our building where we can look to get some momentum back and then look forward to take it back to San Jose,” said Huska.