Barracuda Vaccinated Last Week; Sommer on Chekhovich, Chmelevski’s Slow Starts | SJHN+

The Barracuda have put together three straight wins, their longest streak of the season, with a 4-2 victory against the Texas Stars Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, the Stars (12-14-2-0) broke the ice with a power play goal early in the second period and scored again three minutes later for a 2-0 lead.

Despite trailing 16-12 in shots on goal through two periods, the Barracuda (12-9-4-2) scored a flurry of goals within 78 seconds to take the lead. Scott Reedy started things by tipping in Ryan Merkley’s shot for a power play goal. Reedy has a pair of goals for the season, while Merkley has assists in back-to-back games.

A minute later, the Barracuda’s fourth line connected for their third goal in the last two games, as Steenn Pasichnuk chipped in a backhand shot from down low. Zach Gallant and Lean Bergmann earned assists.

Steenn Pasichnuk scores in back-to-back games #sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/lmLmNSS12K

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 18, 2021

Then, Ivan Chekhovich capitalized on a turnover and wristed in his second goal of the season to give San Jose the 3-2 lead.

At the end of the game, Evan Weinger scored on the empty net for his third goal of the season. Alexei Melnichuk (4-5-3) made 24 saves in the 4-2 win.

Ivan Chekhovich snipes in his second of the year#sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/YdeTGIkYyG

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 18, 2021

San Jose plays another pair of back-to-back games against the San Diego Gulls (19-12-0-0) Tuesday and Wednesday at SAP Center.

Sommer Talks Key Prospects

Reedy seems to be making the most of his amateur tryout with the Barracuda, recording four points in his last five games.

Reedy played his first four games on the right wing, but is now back to his regular position at center. He’s currently on the second line with fellow rookies Brandon Coe and Jake McGrew.

“I like the way [Reedy] controls himself in traffic,” head coach Roy Sommer told San Jose Hockey Now Saturday. “He’s got kind of a heavy stick, he’s hard to get the puck off. What he brings is that he’s got a really good shot. He can get it away from everywhere.”

Scott Reedy power play goal from Ryan Merkley and Robbie Russo #sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/wJLzkoiyaY

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 18, 2021

Reedy’s two-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks begins next season. He’s not the only prospect that Sommer is seeing good things from — he’s pleased with Chekhovich and Chmelevski’s recent play. He also commented on Brandon Coe’s emergence and gave an Alexander Barabanov update.