Gulls, Barracuda Open Back-To-Back Series In San Jose
Apr 19, 2021The San Diego Gulls continue their four-game road trip with a visit to the San Jose Barracuda, opening a back-to-back series tonight at SAP Center (6 p.m. PT; TV: AHL TV; RADIO: Gulls Audio Network). San Diego ranks third in the Pacific Division by point percentage (.594), one spot ahead of San Jose (.556).
“San Jose has been a challenging team for us,” said Gulls head coach Kevin Dineen. “We know we’re all grouped right together and we need some separation so we have to take our show on the road.”
San Diego and San Jose split the first four meetings of the season, with each winning two games. The Gulls won the most recent contest, scoring three power-play goals en route to a 7-3 win at FivePoint Arena on Apr. 3. Andrew Poturalski leads the Gulls in scoring (0-4=4) and assists against the Barracuda while Andrew Agozzino (3-0=3) paces the club in goals.
The Gulls began the trip with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over the Ontario Reign, which includes an incredible, highlight-reel tally from Trevor Zegras.
San Diego couldn't keep the momentum rolling, seeing its two-game win streak end in a 5-1 loss to the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday. Chase De Leo scored his 12th goal of the season in the third period, extending his point streak to a season-long seven games (7-5=12).
De Leo ranks second among San Diego skaters in points, goals and assists. The La Mirada, CA native also skated in his first professional game at Honda Center earlier this month, playing in 13:26 of action for the Anaheim Ducks on Apr. 9.
The Barracuda enter tonight riding a three-game win streak. Like much of the Pacific Division, San Jose is a vastly better club on home ice this season, earning points in nine of its last ten (7-1-1-1) home contests. The home ice success for the Barracuda is aided by the work of their power play, which ranks third in the American Hockey League at home (8-for-30, 26.7%) but 27th on the road (4-for-46, 8.7%).
San Jose’s attack is driven by the duo of Joachim Blichfield and Alexander True, the only two Barracuda skaters with more than 11 points.
The Barracuda roster includes a familiar face in former Gulls captain Jaycob Megna, San Diego’s all-time leader in games played (216). Megna paces Barracuda blueliners in games played (27), plus/minus (+6), shots (40) and penalty minutes (18).