Round two of the Calder Cup Playoffs will begin on Friday for the San Jose Barracuda against the Colorado Eagles.
Game two against the Ontario Reign took place on Saturday, April 26, two days after game one. Since the Eagles finished first in the Pacific Division, they earned a first-round bye. Their last regular-season game was on April 19.
After traveling to San Jose, Colorado will have to play its first game in 13 days, compared to the Barracuda’s six-day break.
“I think if we harness it correctly, it can be [an advantage],” Barracuda coach John McCarthy said. “We have to realize, we’ve got to get out to good starts. We have to jump on them early because I think having a layoff like that can be an advantage for us. I think it’s all about how we harness it.”
Barracuda roster is loving the fan support
After being acquired from the Florida Panthers, centerman Patrick Giles has loved his time with the San Jose Sharks organization. He’s felt the love from the fans at both the NHL and AHL levels.
“I know it’s going to be rocking, and that’s what I’m hoping for,” Giles told SHD. “We’ve got a great fan base. I know they’re going to show out.”
With Andrew Poturalski and Thomas Bordeleau still injured, Giles has stepped up big for the San Jose Barracuda. He’s on a power-play unit and one of the team’s top penalty killers.
“Starting with the Sharks was amazing. I think [it] was huge for experience and development. Just picking up on things from the staff and other players to bring down here for this playoff stretch,” Giles said. “Getting sent down is never great, but when you can come down and be a part of a winning playoff team, that’s something special. I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Like McCarthy, Giles feels the Barracuda have an advantage over the Eagles, having played two postseason games already.
Tech CU Arena isn’t the biggest stadium, with a capacity of 4,200. Despite that, Anthony Vincent knows the San Jose crowd can bring it.
“It’s amazing. We have amazing fans, and I think that’s what makes it so tough to play in this building,” Vincent told SHD. “We have that support, that energy, the crowd cheering, so that just fires us up even more.”
Vincent scored the first goal of game two against the Reign, his first postseason goal with the San Jose Barracuda.
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