The San Jose Barracuda are moving on to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs after they swept the Ontario Reign 2-0.
A 2-0 shutout in game one and a 2-1 win in game two were solidified by the goaltending of top San Jose Sharks goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov. Askarov stopped 17 shots in game one and 29 of 30 in game two.
San Jose is without AHL MVP Andrew Poturalski due to a lower-body injury and suffered multiple injuries in game two. Donavan Houle took a puck to the head at the end of the first period and didn’t return. Top Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni took a high hit at the end of the second but returned in the third.
Ethan Cardwell created the game-winning goal after he drove wide and threw a puck to the front of the net. Collin Graf reached for the puck awkwardly and backhanded it past Phoenix Copley. The goal came with 2:18 left in the third period.
It is unclear who the San Jose Barracuda will play in the second round, as the other two Pacific Division series have yet to be determined. Saturday’s series win marks the first time the Barracuda have won a playoff series since 2017.
After being unable to host a playoff game at Tech CU Arena in the first round, the San Jose Barracuda will be able to play at least one home game in the second round.
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