Kane Scores 1st AHL Goal, Barracuda Win 10-5

When it rains, it pours.

Forward Evander Kane scored his first career AHL goal as the San Jose Barracuda wrapped up a three-game homestand with a franchise-high, ten-goal performance in a 10-5 win over the Colorado Eagles on Wednesday at SAP Center.

“It felt good,” Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer said. “It was fun back there. We closed it out and scored. We got a couple big saves to keep us in there. Everything was going our way tonight. It doesn’t happen like that often.”

Kane, 30, finished the night with a goal, three assists, three shots on goal, and a +4 rating.

There it is. Kane's first AHL goal: a tap-in. #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/cE2518AhSt

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) December 16, 2021

“It was nice to have a positive couple of games here,” said Kane, who has a goal and five points in three games with the Barracuda. “I got off the schneid and put the puck on net. I was happy to see that.”

Kane played alongside new linemates in Nick Merkley and Scott Reedy, who both assisted on Kane’s goal.

“Me and Reedy were pressuring their two players in the zone there,” Kane said. “There was a turnover and Merks made a good pass to me there and I buried it.”

Sommer was appreciative of Kane’s performance tonight.

“I thought he was great,” Sommer said. “Every time he was on, he created. You could tell he was above everyone that’s out there. When he wants to raise his game, he’s pretty effective, especially at this level.”

It appears Kane’s presence with the Barracuda has been quite positive in his first few games with the San Jose Barracuda, elevating the team’s play on the ice and the team’s morale in the locker room.

“I would agree with the team embracing me,” Kane said. “It’s been great. You can tell the guys are happy to have me around. I know we didn’t start off with a win, but the last two games have been great.”

San Jose’s special teams, which have been lackluster throughout the first three months of the season, were a key element of success throughout the contest, factoring in four times on the scoresheet.

“The power play had some good looks,” Sommer said. “It wasn’t just the one unit. Both units scored so it was really good.”

Powerplay goooooaaaaal! 🚨

It’s 3-2 us! 😄 pic.twitter.com/bnkOyijoC2

— San Jose Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) December 16, 2021

Adam Raska tallied his second career AHL goal, which came of the short-handed variety with assists from Ryan Merkley and Evander Kane. Merkley ended the night with a career-high three helpers and was effectively strong on the puck at both ends.

“We had lots of depth tonight,” Ryan Merkley said. “We had great moments on the PK and on the power play. Everyone contributed effectively.”

The 2018 first-round pick by the Sharks has enjoyed the experience of playing with an NHL veteran in the locker room in Kane.

“It’s been awesome,” Merkley said of Kane’s presence. “He brought the morale up for sure. The guys are having a lot more fun. I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s been a nice surprise.”

Second short-handed goal of the season for the Barracuda. Adam Raska completes the 2-on-1 with Evander Kane. #SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/jGqh9LBlWN

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) December 16, 2021

15 different Barracuda skaters got on the scoresheet in the milestone victory. First career AHL goals for forward Krystof Hrabik (PPG) and defenseman Cole Moberg (SHG) sparked a five-goal second period for San Jose, who advanced to earn their second consecutive victory.

Jeffrey Viel registered his first and second goals of the season. Joachim Blichfeld scored his eighth goal of the season, trailing only Scott Reedy (10) for the team lead in goals. With his brother Jayson on the other side of the ice, Jaycob Megna sniped his first goal of the season.

Nick Merkley netted a breakaway goal with a little help from Kane’s third assist of the night.

Off to the races! 🏇@merkdaddy4 buries it to make it 7-4 pic.twitter.com/JAAPe9MjC2

— San Jose Barracuda (@sjbarracuda) December 16, 2021

Alexei Melnichuk made 21 saves on 26 shot attempts from the Eagles.

Since earning a PTO, defenseman Patrick Holway has appeared in three straight games, partnering primarily alongside Artemi Kniazev. Holway collected his first assist on the Blichfeld tally.

“He’s been on our radar for awhile,” Sommer said. “His three games, he’s been real good for us. He’s got a good stick and makes the simple plays.”

San Jose embarks on a four-game road trip, beginning on Friday against the Ontario Reign. Sommer says Kane will “probably” travel with the team.

Extras

Eight scouts tonight observing the Barracuda-Eagles game (PHI, EDM, FLA, TBL, SEA, WPG, CHI, and VGK) #SJSharks

— Michael Gutnick (@michaelgutnick) December 16, 2021

Forward Joel Kellman, who had spent this season with the Barracuda, cleared unconditional waivers Wednesday and is returning home to Sweden.

Kellman, in his third year in the San Jose Sharks’ organization, had a goal and four points in 10 AHL games this season. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound forward suffered a concussion earlier this year in a game against Abbotsford where he was removed from the ice via a stretcher and missed the following seven games.

Kellman, 27, was originally signed by the San Jose Sharks to a one-year deal in 2019 and re-signed to a two-year deal in August 2020 that expired after this season. He had nine points in 38 NHL games with San Jose.

The Barracuda already lost Dylan Gambrell in a trade to the Ottawa Senators earlier this year, so San Jose’s depth at center position has certainly been tested this season.