The San José Barracuda lost 4-1 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a home game at Tech CU Arena on Tuesday.
It marked the Barracuda’s fifth straight loss and ninth in their last 10 games.
In the opening minutes of the first period, Firebirds center David Goyette and Barracuda center Lucas Vanroboys got into a fight and were each given five-minute penalties, leaving both teams with four skaters on the ice.
The Firebirds controlled play early, keeping the puck in the Barracuda’s zone and generating several close chances that were stopped by Barracuda goaltender Laurent Brossoit.
At 5:21 of the first period, forward Logan Morrison of the Firebirds scored on the first shot of the game.
Shortly after, at 6:12, Firebirds forward John Hayden scored, slipping the puck past Brossoit to propel the Firebirds’lead.
Barracuda head coach John McCarthy said the team lacked coordination and puck control early.
“First period (was) a little scrambly,” McCarthy said. “We gave up a little too much, spent too much time in our own zone.”
The Firebirds scored the only two goals of the first period and led 2-0 at the break, despite a Barracuda power play.
The Firebirds continued their aggressive play in the second period, keeping the puck in the Barracuda’s zone and forcing mostly defensive play by San José
Barracuda defensemen Jett Woo and Noah Beck each received two-minute penalties, Woo for tripping and Beck for high-sticking.
Play was briefly stopped after Woo sustained a minor injury and was escorted off the ice for the remainder of the period.
Despite two power-play opportunities for the Firebirds, neither team scored in the second period, and the score remained 2-0 heading into the third.
Early in the third period, defenseman Ville Ottavainen of the Firebirds received a two-minute penalty, giving the Barracuda a power play.
Shortly after, Firebirds defenseman Gustav Olofsson was given a four-minute penalty after his stick struck Barracuda forward Kasper Halttunen. The penalty was concurrent with Ottavainen’s, giving the Barracuda a 5-on-3 advantage on the ice during the third period.
At 3:10 of the third period, forward Quentin Musty scored to give the Barracuda their first goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
San José increased its offensive pressure, keeping the puck in the Firebirds zone for much of the period.
McCarthy said newer players are still adjusting to the American Hockey League level.
“We got some newer guys on the lineup, I think they were getting used to the speed and the intensity,” McCarthy said.
In the final minutes, the Firebirds added two goals.
Coachella Valley center Cooper Marody scored at the 12:33 mark to make it 3-1, then scored again at 14:48, assisted by teammate left winger Lleyton Roed, extending the Firebirds’ lead to 4-1.
McCarthy said the third-period performance was stronger than the score indicated.
“In the third period I thought we were really good,” McCarthy said. “The quality of the game itself, I got to look at it again, but I didn’t think it was a 4-1 game.”
Late in the period, the Barracuda pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but were unable to score.
The Barracuda have two games remaining in the season.
Their next game is an away matchup Friday against the Bakersfield Condors at the Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield.
The regular-season finale will be at home this Saturday at the Tech CU Arena, also against the Condors.
McCarthy said the team remains focused heading into the final games.
“I don’t think anybody’s panicking,” McCarthy said. “I think everyone knows what’s at stake, we’re trying to play our game. We’ve got to get some results, though.”
