PHNs Best Shots of the Game: San Jose Barracuda comeback win over Heat

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Stockton Heat forward Morgan Klimchuk scored his first-ever pro goal in the second period, putting the Heat up by three early on, but the San Jose Barracuda stormed back with five-straight goals and defeated the Heat 5-4 at the SAP Center in San Jose Sunday night. It was a big night for Klimchuk, who added an assist on Austin Carroll’s goal in the third period, giving both rookies their first multi-point games of their pro career as well. Unfortunately for the Heat, San Jose forward Barclay Goodrow and some key saves from goaltender Troy Grosenick led the home team to the win.

Troy Grosenick (1) makes a save as Austin Carroll (20) looks for the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima

In the first period, Freddie Hamilton beat Grosenick glove side for the first goal of the night at 10:31 on a power play. Emile Poirier scored at 14:38 on a one-timer from the slot. Stockton lead the period with 11-6 shots on goal before going off for the first intermission.

At 8:58 into the second period, on a power play, Klimchuk scored giving the Heat the 3-0 lead.

Nikolay Goldobin (82) checks Drew Shore – Photo by Jack Lima

Klimchuk commented on his goal. “It was a play that’s happened to me a couple times this year that I haven’t capitalized on. [Austin Carroll] got a good pass from [Derek Grant] and took it to the net hard. It ended up just sitting there and I was lucky enough to just wack it in.”

The rest of the game belonged to San Jose. Michael Haley scored a short-handed goal at 9:34, followed by Barclay Goodrow at 12:04, when he scored a power play goal. Nikolay Goldobin scored his sixth of the season off a face-off only seconds later. Gus Young dropped the puck in the net past Joni Ortio at 12:54, to give the Barracuda the 4-3 lead. The Barracuda led the period with 14-10 shots on net.

Micheal Haley (38) scores a shorthanded goal that bounces off the shoulder of Heat goalie Joni Ortio – Photo by Jack Lima

Petter Emanuelsson scored at 12:35 in the third period for their fifth and final goal of the night, earning the win for Grosenick with 26 saves for the night. Stockton’s Austin Carroll’s shot found the back of the net at 15:34, and despite several late game attempts, couldn’t get the right combination. Ortio took the loss in the net with 26 saves in the 5-4 loss to the Barracuda.

“Any time you go up by three on the road it’s a good start that you want,” said Drew Shore following the game. “The five unanswered goals, though, are unacceptable. On a positive note, we have a nice little break coming up, so hopefully we can refresh and come back ready to go.”

Linesman Brent Tubbs (88) drops the puck on a faceoff between Ryan Carpenter (40) and Drew Shore (23) – Photo by Jack Lima

Stockton Heat Coach Ryan Huska commented on the game, “Well there were quite a few things that happened tonight, especially the goal off the faceoff – those are things that should never happen. Those are the mistakes you don’t want to see being made. I thought we had a good first period and parts of the second were ok, but I thought the lack of momentum created by our own power play hurt us again. That allowed them to gain some momentum and eventually the win.”

Both teams will take a break for the holidays. The Heat will travel to Bakersfield for a game on Saturday, December 26, while the Barracuda will wait for the Heat to return to San Jose on Sunday, December 27.