Melnichuk Adapting to “Many Parts” of North America | SJHN+

Tensions boiled over as the Barracuda (5-3-2-0) played the San Diego Gulls (9-6-0-0) for the third straight game. San Jose took a 3-1 win in a heated game where the teams combined for 54 penalty minutes.

Just re-assigned to the AHL, Noah Gregor jet past the Gulls’ defense to open the scoring 11 seconds into the game. Gregor also used his speed to set up Fredrik Handemark’s goal early in the second period. Ryan Merkley also earned his fifth assist of the season. Gregor has two goals and one assist in two games with the Barracuda.

Frederik Handemark goal. Noah Gregor is really making things happen rn. Merkley gets an assist too. pic.twitter.com/Jyu2yzmPH9

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 10, 2021

Two minutes later, Jayden Halbgewachs scored his fourth goal of the year, assisted by Handemark and Evan Weinger.

Penalties plagued the Barracuda for the final two periods, allowing the Gulls to score twice on the power play. Rookie forward Jake McGrew left the game late in the second period after taking a high hit, prompting Sasha Chmelevski to fight San Diego’s Andy Welinski. McGrew returned to the game five minutes into the third period.

Rookie Jake McGrew gets hit hard, Sasha Chmelevski fights. pic.twitter.com/kBKDwZN3OZ

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) March 10, 2021

Team captain Jaycob Megan scored his first goal of the year on an empty netter to seal the 4-2 win.

Next up for San Jose, back-to-back games in Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday.

Is Melnichuk Ready for NHL?

San Jose Sharks goaltending prospect Alexei Melnichuk is stringing together strong starts for the Barracuda, but he is also still adapting to many things in his first year in North America.

“It’s a new team, a new system,” Barracuda goaltending development coach Dany Sabourin said. “There’s many parts. We have to be careful to know to hit one at a time and make sure we do it the right way.”