Barracuda victorious in shootout win over Reign

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Barracuda (5-4-0-1) defeated the Ontario Reign (7-2-0-1) in a shootout with a final score of 4-3 at Tech CU Arena.

Referee Brandon Schrader (46) drops the puck on the game opening faceoff between Quiton Byfield (55) and Jasper Weatherby (14) – Photo by Jack Lima

The first period was scoreless, but late in the period the teams began to get chippy. Frederic Allard and Montana Onyebuchi both served time in the box for roughing, before the teams went to the first intermission.

T.J. Tynan (17) tries to move around Barracuda’s defenseman Ryan Merkley (6) – Photo by Jack Lima

Ontario’s Lias Andersson scored the first goal of the game only 38 seconds into the second period. Tyler Madden gave the Reign a 2-0 lead at 3:02 into the period, with his second goal of the season. Ontario had 14 shots on net before the Barracuda were allowed a shot at 12:55 mark. Jeffrey Viel made it worth the wait, as they closed the gap to 2-1.

Jeffrey Viel (63) celebrates his second period goal – Photo by Jack Lima

In the third period, San Jose found a way to come from behind. Viel scored his second goal of the night, unassisted, when he took a pass near the blue line and skated all the way to the net and beat Pheonix Copley at the 15:01 mark. Ozzy Wiesblatt scored the go-ahead goal about a minute later, his first goal of the season.

Barracuda’s defenseman Ryan Merkley (6) swats the puck away from Alan Quine (22) – Photo by Jack Lima

In what could have been detrimental to the Barracuda come-back, Adam Raska took a five-minute checking major, giving the Reign a man advantage, followed a short time later, by a delay of game penalty. The Reign two-man advantage was held off by the Barracuda defense, including a few great saves by Strauss Mann in the net. Then, with just under a minute remaining in the period, Taylor Ward’s shot evened the score at 3-3, forcing a sudden death overtime period.

Alan Quine (22) follows the puck into the corner in front of Barracuda’s defenseman Nick Cicek (59) – Photo by Jack Lima

Neither team were able to solve the netminders during the extra period. A five-round shootout, with the Barracuda emerging as the victor, following goals off the sticks of Danil Gushchin and Luke Johnson. Akil Thomas was the sole Reign scorer.

The Reign outshot the Barracuda 35-22.

Mann earned his first win of the season turning away 32 shots for the Barracuda, while Copley had 17 saves in the loss.

Alex Turcotte tries to avoid a collision with Barracuda’s goalie Strauss Mann – Photo by Jack Lima

Both teams had four powerplay opportunities each but failed to capitalize.

Ontario will continue their road trip in Bakersfield, while the Barracuda will face Colorado on Saturday.

Taylor Ward (34) takes a shot on goal – Photo by Jack Lima

Taylor Ward (34) follows through on a shot on goal as Derrick Pouliot (55) tries to block the shot – Photo by Jack Lima

Taylor Ward (34) ducks under a shot in front of Barracuda’s goalie Strauss Mann – Photo by Jack Lima

Samuel Fagemo (11) attempts a between the legs shot on goalie Strauss Mann – Photo by Jack Lima

Reign Captain T.J. Tynan (17) takes a shot on goal as Derrick Pouliot (55) defends – Photo by Jack Lima

Linesman Alex Ledovskiy (21) drops the puck on a faceoff between Thomas Bordeleau (17) and Jacob Moverare (44) – Photo by Jack Lima

C.J. Suess (53) and Brandon Coe (70) try to control the puck after a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima

Brandon Coe (70) tries to move the puck away from Tobie Bisson (12) – Photo by Jack Lima

Barracuda’s goalie Strauss Mann (34) makes a kick save on a shot by T.J. Tynan (17) as defenseman Derrick Pouliot (55) looks to clear the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima