SAN JOSE BARRACUDA (6-4-0-0) vs COLORADO EAGLES (6-4-0-1)
SUN, NOV. 10 | 3:00 P.M. | TECH CU ARENA | SAN JOSE, CA
LISTEN | WATCH | MEDIA KIT | GAME NOTES | MEDIA KIT
Birds of a Feather: The Barracuda encountered a tough loss on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-2 to the Colorado Eagles, marking their third consecutive defeat. This game also marked their first loss at home this season, a demoralizing start in their eight-game season series against Colorado. Historically, the Barracuda have struggled against the Eagles, now on a disheartening stretch of 12 games without a win against them (0-9-3-0), having been outscored 54-26 during this troubling run, including 22-10 at home. Their last taste of victory over Colorado came on November 12, 2022, in an overtime thriller where Luke Johnson netted the winner just 40 seconds into the extra session.
About Saturday: In a closely contested match, the Barracuda took an early lead after impressive goals from Andrew Poturalski and Collin Graf, forcing the Eagles behind 2-1. However, Colorado rallied late, with Jayson Megna leveling the score with just over 13 minutes left, before Tye Felhaber clinched the game for the Eagles with a go-ahead goal at 17:01 in the third period. Yaroslav Askarov faced 27 shots, allowing three goals, leading to his second consecutive defeat. On the opposing side, Kevin Mandolese turned aside 37 shots, showcasing stellar goaltending to secure the victory for the Eagles.
Do the Cagn Cagn: Rookie defenseman Luca Cagnoni showcased his offensive prowess on Saturday, contributing an assist to extend his remarkable scoring streak to seven games in his last eight outings, tallying a commendable total of 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists). Currently, he ranks T-first among AHL defenders in both goals and points (4 and 10 respectively) at just 19 years of age. Cagnoni’s impressive stats come on the heels of his record-setting WHL season, where he led all defensemen with an astonishing 90 points, earning him a spot on the U.S. Division First All-Star Team. This feat made him the first WHL defenseman since 1993-94 to surpass the 90-point milestone, standing impressively nine points ahead of his closest competitor.
Back with the Barracuda: In a significant roster move, the Sharks reassigned forwards Danil Gushchin and Ethan Cardwell to the Barracuda after activating Macklin Celebrini and Ty Dellandrea from the injury reserve. Gushchin achieved a career milestone this past Saturday, notching his 100th AHL point by assisting on the Barracuda’s initial goal whilst tying a franchise record with nine shots on net in the game. Meanwhile, Cardwell gained valuable experience with three games under his belt during his recent call-up with the Sharks after having a breakout previous season where he was named the Barracuda’s rookie of the year, thanks to a record of team-high 23 goals.
Hot Pot: Veteran Andrew Poturalski continues to heat up, demonstrating his scoring touch by netting a goal and adding an assist in Saturday’s competitive showdown. He has surged recently with three goals in the last two contests, bringing his total to six in the last six games, leading the Barracuda in scoring and shots on goal (28). His exceptional performance caught the Sharks’ attention, earning him a two-year contract in July. Poturalski previously finished the 2023-24 season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, where he accumulated 51 points, including a team-leading nine power-play goals and maintained an impressive plus-eight rating.
Calling Collin: Rookie forward Collin Graf made headlines as he was honored as the AHL’s Rookie of the Month for October due to his stellar performance, maintaining a point streak in each of his first seven AHL games (3 goals, 7 assists). As an undrafted free-agent signee for the Sharks, Graf has quickly established himself as a key player, currently leading the Barracuda with 13 points, including 9 assists. After scoring his fourth goal of the season on Saturday, he now ranks T-second on the team in goals scored. Graf’s success comes after a standout junior season at Quinnipiac, where he not only was a Hobey Baker finalist but also earned accolades as the ECAC Player of the Year and the Gladiator Best Defensive Forward. He was pivotal in leading the Bobcats to a National Championship in 2022-23.
Blueline Bolster: The Sharks bolstered their defensive core by activating veteran defenseman Lucas Carlsson off the injured reserve this past Wednesday and promptly assigning him to the Barracuda after clearing waivers. Carlsson, who signed a two-way, two-year contract with the Sharks on July 1, 2024, is expected to bring significant experience to the lineup. During the previous AHL season, he demonstrated exceptional skill, ranking third among defensemen in goals (15) while also leading in game-winning goals (5) and finishing T-13th in total points (39). His on-ice prowess earned him a place at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic in San Jose. In fact, just the year prior, Carlsson topped all AHL defensemen with an impressive 20 goals, resulting in his selection for the AHL Second All-Star Team.
Thunder Road: In recent roster decisions, the Barracuda assigned forwards Luke Grainger and Mitchell Russell to the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder. Grainger made an impact during his season debut by scoring his first pro goal while contributing to the Barracuda’s impressive 5-2 win over the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The previous season, he participated in just two matches with the Barracuda after joining the team via a PTO from Western Michigan. Meanwhile, Russell made his long-awaited season debut on Sunday against Iowa after recovering from an injury sustained during training camp.
**Interview with San Jose Barracuda Assistant Coach, Mike Stevens**
**Editor:** Joining me today is Mike Stevens, Assistant Coach for the San Jose Barracuda, as the team prepares for their critical matchup against the Colorado Eagles on Sunday. Thanks for being here, Mike!
**Mike Stevens:** Thanks for having me! Always a pleasure to talk Barracuda hockey.
**Editor:** The Barracuda are coming off a tough loss against the Eagles last Saturday. What are the key areas you’re focusing on to turn things around for the upcoming game?
**Mike Stevens:** Well, it’s definitely important that we tighten up our defense. We started strong last game with some great plays, but we let the Eagles rally back. We need to maintain our composure and limit the scoring chances against us. Additionally, our special teams have to be sharper—every little detail matters in these tight games.
**Editor:** Speaking of tight games, your last victory against Colorado was almost a year ago in overtime. How do you address the psychological aspect of that and motivate the team?
**Mike Stevens:** It’s crucial to focus on the present and not dwell on the past. While the record isn’t in our favor against them lately, every game is a new opportunity. We emphasize the positive aspects—like our ability to generate offense—and remind the players that we can beat anyone when we play to our strengths.
**Editor:** Rookie defenseman Luca Cagnoni has been on fire, contributing both offensively and defensively. How pivotal is he to your game strategy moving forward?
**Mike Stevens:** Luca has been exceptional; his offensive contributions from the blue line are invaluable. He’s very dynamic and has a knack for making plays under pressure. We’re looking to utilize him in key situations and continue to nurture his talent because he is someone who can change the course of a game.
**Editor:** Andrew Poturalski is also on quite a scoring streak. What impact does a seasoned player like him have on the younger guys in the locker room?
**Mike Stevens:** Andrew’s leadership is tremendous. He leads by example every night, whether it’s through his scoring or the way he prepares for games. The younger players look up to him, and his experience helps them understand the rhythms of the season and how to stay focused.
**Editor:** With some changes in the roster following reassignments from the Sharks, how are you integrating players like Danil Gushchin and Ethan Cardwell into the lineup?
**Mike Stevens:** Integration is key, and we’ve been in constant communication with them about our systems and expectations. Gushchin just hit his 100th AHL point, which boosts morale, and Cardwell’s recent experience is invaluable, especially since he had such a successful season last year with us. It’s all about creating chemistry, and we’re confident they’ll fit right in.
**Editor:** The Barracuda have a big game ahead of them against Colorado this Sunday at Tech CU Arena. How are you preparing the team mentally for this challenge?
**Mike Stevens:** It’s all about mindset. We talk about resilience and focusing on what we can control—our preparation, our effort, and our execution. If we can bring that fight to the ice, we believe the results will come. We’re excited to play in front of our home crowd, and we’re ready to turn things around.
**Editor:** Thanks for your insights, Mike. Best of luck in the upcoming game against the Eagles!
**Mike Stevens:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to a great matchup.
