Josef Kořenář Wants His NHL Shot: “I’m ready right now.” | SJHN+

Penalty troubles led to the San Jose Barracuda’s (7-7-4-1) 7-3 loss to the San Diego Gulls (15-10-0-0) Saturday night.

The Barracuda were playing their second straight game without Ryan Merkley, who is dealing with a wrist injury. With Noah Gregor, Fredrik Händemark, and Christián Jaroš up with the San Jose Sharks taxi squad, Evan Weinger, Zachary Gallant, and Brandon Coe drew back into the lineup.

Maxim Letunov cleaned up the rebound of Brinson Pasichnuk’s blocked shot to open the scoring halfway through the first period. Lean Bergmann also earned an assist, snapping a 13-game pointless drought.

Maxim Letunov opens the scoring, assisted by Brinson Pasichnuk and Lean Bergmann #SJbarracuda pic.twitter.com/FYtQA4UJeu

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 4, 2021

San Diego tied the game near the end of the first period. Bergmann earned his second assist of the night while on the penalty kill, slipping a backhand pass to Alexander True who scored for a 2-1 lead.

LEAN BERGMANN STONKS 📈

Second assist tonight to set up Alexander True's short-handed goal. #SJbarracuda pic.twitter.com/H7H8gMBsEp

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 4, 2021

From there, a penalty-filled final two periods led to the Barracuda giving up their most goals against this season. San Diego and San Jose were each assessed three minor penalties in the second period, but the Gulls added two more goals to take the lead.

The Gulls scored just early in the third period, converted twice on the power play, then added their sixth unanswered goal with 1:25 remaining.

Joel Kellman puts one in at the end after six straight Gulls goals. Chmelevski & Russo get assists. #SJBarracuda pic.twitter.com/cFwr6FnFbq

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 4, 2021

Joel Kellman scored off a backdoor feed from Sasha Chmelevski in the final 30 seconds, also assisted by Robbie Russo. Kellman has two goals and three assists in the last five games.

Kořenář made 21 saves, but suffered his first regulation loss of the season after allowing his most goals against since Nov. 13, 2019.

The Barracuda host the AHL’s No. 2 team, the Henderson Silver Knights, at Solar4America Ice Tuesday and Wednesday.

Josef Kořenář Says He’s Ready for the NHL

After a difficult season last year, then starting this pandemic-impacted season in the Czech Republic, Josef Kořenář feels like he’s had a reset.

“I just came back and I felt like it was my first year again, something new,” Kořenář told San Jose Hockey Now on Saturday afternoon. “I was more excited for the season to start.”