By Taylor Lupetti (@tayclupetti ):
The San Jose Barracuda (17-15-0-2) dressed to impress on “tuxedo day” to defeat the Bakersfield Condors (16-14-7-0) 3-2 in overtime.
San Jose scored early in the first period when left wing forward Emerson Clark shot the puck passed Bakersfield goalie Laurent Brossoit off a pass from defenseman Jacob Middleton. In the first two minutes of the game, the ‘Cuda had the lead with Clark’s third goal of the season.
Bakersfield evened the score at the 6:12 mark of the first when right wing forward Patrick Russell scored off an assist from Caleb Jones with a shot between Antoine Bibeau’s legs.
Mostly in thanks to Bibeau protecting San Jose’s net, the second period remained stagnant at 1-1 with neither team pucking one through.
Condors’ center Brad Malone pushed Bakersfield ahead in the third with another goal through Bibeau that was reviewed but eventually called a goal.
Center Danny O’Regan assisted defenseman Cavan Fitzgerald in knotting the score for San Jose and sent the game into OT.
The extended period almost went scoreless until the final six seconds when defenseman Nick DeSimone scored, ending the game with a win for the ‘Cuda.
Marking five out of 10 match ups the ‘Cuda and Condors will have this season, San Jose is now 3-1-0-1 against Bakersfield.
The ‘Cuda will be in San Jose for one more home game against the Stockton Heat, Wednesday at 7 p.m.