Stockton, CA – The San Jose Barracuda (29-14-2-4) allowed four third-period goals on Sunday at the Stockton Arena and fell 4-1 to the Stockton Heat (22-25-4-1). The loss was just San Jose’s second in 11 games against the Flames affiliate this season and snapped an eight-game winning streak over Stockton and seven-game winning streak at the Stockton Arena.
The Barracuda would open up the scoring in the first at 7:45 when Alex True (18) collected a loose puck in the neutral zone after Stockton had failed to hold the offensive zone, raced up ice on a breakaway down the right wing, and fired a shot inside the far post on the penalty-kill. The tally was just the third shorthanded goal for the Barracuda this season and the 15th given up by the Heat (Most in the AHL).
Despite going on a four-minute power-play in the second, the Barracuda failed to extend their lead and the score remained 1-0 through 40 minutes.
In the third, Ryan Lomberg (7) matched True’s early shorthanded tally and evened the score at 13:57 after a series of passes wound up on the veteran’s tape in the low slot. Kerby Rychel (21) would then give his club their first lead as he deflected a point-shot in on the power-play at 13:57. The Heat sealed the win with a pair of empty-net goals. First, Lomberg (8) at 18:16 and then Spencer Foo (14) at 19:28.
Antoine Bibeau (11-9-5) took the loss after allowing two goals on 32 shots while Jon Gillies (10-14-4) earned his first win over San Jose in five games this season by making 36 saves on 37 shots.
Image courtesy of Stockton Heat
