Sabourin on Where Kořenář, Melnichuk Can Improve | SJHN+

The Barracuda (15-13-4-2) lost 5-3 to the Bakersfield Condors (21-12-0-1) Monday evening.

Sasha Chmelevski opened the scoring with a power play goal, assisted by Jayden Halbgewachs and Joel Kellman.

Sasha Chmelevski sees the open ice and scores on the power play #SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/Ehlj8hF3pS

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 3, 2021

The Condors responded with two power play goals and never gave up the lead.

Late in the second period, Chmelevski set up Maxim Letunov, who scored with a one-time shot for another power play goal. With nine points in four games, Chmelevski earned a call up to the San Jose Sharks Wednesday.

Maxim Letunov scores a power play goal off a one-time feed from Sasha Chmelevski. Joel Kellman also assisted.#SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/kvXkVI6d2D

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 4, 2021

While on the penalty kill, Kellman intercepted a drop pass and rushed ahead to score an unassisted short-handed goal. Kellman has six goals and four assists in his last four games.

The Condors scored three goals in the third period for the 5-3 win.

Joel Kellman scores a shorthanded goal #SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/MgnIgEUhVE

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 4, 2021

Alexei Melnichuk (7-7-3) allowed five goals on 19 shots, suffering his first loss in four games.

Sabourin Talks Kořenář, Melnichuk & Émond’s Progress

After spending two months splitting time between sitting on the San Jose Sharks taxi squad and starting for the Barracuda, Josef Kořenář and Alexei Melnichuk have been enjoying some stability.

Since Devan Dubnyk was sent to Colorado at the trade deadline Mar. 13, Kořenář has earned six starts for the Sharks while Melnichuk has been the Barracuda’s No. 1 goaltender.

“I think that was very helpful for them,” Barracuda goaltending development coach Dany Sabourin told San Jose Hockey Now Wednesday. “Everyday, you know where you’re going to be, you know which coach you’re going to have on the ice. It’s a snowball effect, just so much easier for an athlete.”