Chekhovich Injury Update, Ibragimov Impresses, Cuda Eliminated

Timur Ibragimov is projected to return to North America next year.

The San Jose Sharks’ 2019 sixth-round pick, who played most of the season with TPS Turku in Liiga, made his North American pro debut last Wednesday in Irvine. Ibragimov had scored eight goals and 14 points in Finland, helping TPS to the Liiga championship round.

The 20-year-old Russian winger is slated to join the San Jose Barracuda full-time next season.

And while Ibragimov didn’t manage to notch a point in his three AHL post-season contests, he flashed a promising combination of size, skill, and speed in teal.

Off the draw on Friday, Ibragimov (67) blows by Brayden Pachdal (94). One on one against recent KHL signing Daniil Miromanov (42), Ibragimov gets around the 6-foot-4 defender, then looks up. The winger holds the puck a beat, absorbing the Henderson backchecker, before uncorking a perfect pass to an unmarked Scott Reedy (54) charging down the slot.

The extra moment that Ibragimov takes with the puck is all-important: This draws a Silver Knight to him, and also, allows Reedy to gain the zone in stride and onside.

While the 6-foot-1 winger is raw, the tools are there. A scout compared Ibragimov favorably to San Jose’s 2019 second-round pick Dillon Hamaliuk, insofar as both blend the skill, pace, and power that should complement skill forwards well.

Ibragimov is in the first season of his three-year entry-level contract.

Cuda Done

Score another one for the Vegas Golden Knights over the San Jose Sharks.

The Golden Knights swept the Sharks in their eight-game season series. The Silver Knights completed a 6-1-1 regular season showing and a best-of-three playoff sweep over the Barracuda with a 4-2 Game Two victory this afternoon.

Overall, the San Jose Sharks organization went 1-14-3 versus their most bitter rival this season.

It was a promising enough start for the Barracuda this afternoon — 40 seconds in, Jake McGrew snapped a shot – albeit deflected – over Logan Thompson.

Jake Middleton with a stretch pass to Jake McGrew for the opening goal#sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/EAtvQrzBOU

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

The lead, however, was short-lived, as Gage Quinney responded with a short-handed goal a little more than 11 minutes later.

Gage Quinney shorthanded goal

Assist: Korczak pic.twitter.com/YnQM3hdotJ

— Vegas Knightly (@VegasKnightly) May 23, 2021

This was off a blindside Pachdal hit on Ivan Chekhovich. Pachdal was assessed a major. Chekhovich did not return.

Ivan Chekhovich exits the game after a blindside hit by Brayden Pachal. Major penalty.#sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/pYcCW9RT9e

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

San Jose Hockey Now is hearing that Chekhovich is in concussion protocol. We’ll get another update on him soon.

The middle frame would not prove to be a respite for San Jose. Five minutes in, Tomas Jurco beat Josef Korenar on a two-on-one, then Danny O’Regan potted another shortie for Henderson.

Tomas Jurco goal

Assist: Cotter pic.twitter.com/WBSJPAmP0q

— Vegas Knightly (@VegasKnightly) May 23, 2021

Danny O'regan shorthanded goal

Unassisted pic.twitter.com/FM7LUG1nMc

— Vegas Knightly (@VegasKnightly) May 23, 2021

The Barracuda and Maxim Letunov would get a quick one back on the power play.

Maxim Letunov cleans it up for a power play goal #sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/f5ZtQtFFfQ

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

But again, ex-San Jose Sharks prospect O’Regan would get his revenge, this time on the PP:

Danny O'Regan power play goal

Assist: Murphy pic.twitter.com/3IU5THOg8a

— Vegas Knightly (@VegasKnightly) May 23, 2021

Less than halfway into the game, there were already six goals scored, Silver Knights 4-2. That would prove to be it.

It’s not that the Barracuda didn’t have their chances:

Double minor penalty to Reid Duke after this hit on Scott Reedy. Jaycob Megna picks up a roughing penalty. #sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/L0XmU3b8oV

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

San Jose actually had more shots than Henderson 32-28, but Thompson was equal to the task.

Great pass by Jayden Halbgewachs but Kyle Topping gets absolutely stuffed by Logan Thompson #sjbarracuda #HomeMeansHenderson pic.twitter.com/7p7ONxKghb

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

On the other side, Josef Korenar could not continue his hot streak, giving up as many goals this afternoon as he had in his previous three playoff starts. Regardless, the Czech netminder had his moments:

Big stop by Josef Kořenář as Henderson leads 4-2 after two periods. #sjbarracuda pic.twitter.com/bjOKJVP3Qk

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) May 23, 2021

Even after a 24-for-28 performance, Korenar finished the post-season with a .926 Save %.

Roy Sommer summed up a Barracuda campaign with unprecedented challenges: “[40] days on the road at the start. We went through the Texas scene, got the one game in, then we got iced out there for a week. We had some COVID, where we had to quarantine.

“The guys stuck with it. We ended up in a playoff spot at the end of the year, which was a positive.

“Then we went down to play in the tournament in Irvine, and give the guys credit, five of our top scorers are out and all the guys that played that weren’t playing a lot buckled down.”