Ontario, CA – Barracuda Head Coach Roy Sommer remained at 636 wins, tied with Fred “Bun” Cook (636 wins) on top of the AHL’s all-time win list as the San Jose Barracuda (19-15-5-3, 46pts) presented by Barracuda Networks dropped a 1-0 decision to the host Ontario Reign (27-10-3-1, 58pts) in front of 9,491 fans at the Citizens Business Bank Arena on Friday evening. 
Michael Mersch scored his team leading 17th goal of the season on the power play in the first period and Peter Budaj picked up his AHL high 8th shutout with 22 saves as the Barracuda were shutout for the 6th time this season. Barracuda goaltender Aaron Dell was spectacular in net for San Jose as he made 29 saves in net in the loss.
The Reign controlled the first period of play as they outshot the Barracuda 15-4 and grabbed a 1-0 lead with a power play strike. Michael Mersch (17th) sent a rebound past goaltender Aaron Dell from the side of the crease at 13:52 for the only score of the opening frame.
Ontario outshot San Jose 8-1 in the second period as neither team found the back of the net in the middle frame. The Barracuda killed off three power plays in the period as the Barracuda trailed 1-0 through 40 minutes of play.
San Jose fired 17 shots in the third period and had several great chances to force overtime but Peter Budaj stood tall between the pipes for the Reign. Aaron Dell made seven more saves in the third period but the Barracuda offense came up empty in the 1-0 road loss.
Notes: Three Stars: 3rd star Michael Mersch (1-0-1) 2nd star: Peter Budaj (22 saves, W) 1st star: Nic Dowd (0-1-1)….Final shots were 30-22 in favor of Ontario… Peter Budaj (25-9-3) made 22 saves on 22 shots for Ontario in his third straight shutout….Aaron Dell (7-9-5) made 29 saves on 30 shots for San Jose …. San Jose went 0-for-3 on the power play while Ontario went 1-for-4…. Frazer McLaren (inj), Scott Timmins, Alex Gallant (inj), Joakim Ryan (inj), and Rick Pinkston did not dress for the Barracuda… the Barracuda are in a stretch where they play 9 of 11 on the road… San Jose is now 1-3-0-0 on their five game road trip….Joakim Ryan missed his first game of the season due to a lower body injury…defenseman Rick Pinkston was recalled from the Allen Americans on Feb 4 but did not dress for the Barracuda… the Barracuda had a season low one shot on goal in the second period…San Jose was shutout for the 6th time this season
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