Texas Drops Another Against San Jose 5-3

(Credit: Ben Green, San Jose Barracuda)

It was a tight contest for Texas and San Jose tonight as neither team was able to gain an advantage for very long in the game. San Jose scored first, but Texas roared back twice to lead 2-1 and 3-2. The final lead reclamation was San Jose's as they took a 5-3 victory off a late third period goal.

The loss drops Texas two games below .500 for the first time all season. Adam Scheel took the loss after Colton Point was pulled following the second San Jose goal. Scheel stopped 13 of 15.

After San Jose opened the scoring, Josh Melnick got the Stars' first goal off a beauty individual effort by Riley Tufte. He went all the way down the ice and blew a tire behind the net under pressure. Tufte managed to dish to Josh Melnick out front for the tie.

The next two goals for Texas came off some very active boards. Riley Damiani broke a 13-game goalless streak with his seventh of the year. That play came as the puck rebounded hard off the glass behind Alexei Melnichuk and Damiani whipped it in. The play was verbally challenged by the Barracuda immediately for a high stick, but there was no review as there are no video reviews this year in the AHL.

Josh Melnick had a similarly active end board help him out as the puck came hard off the initial Thomas Harley shot and got to Melnick before Melnichuk could recover. Texas led 3-2 early in the third and was in good position.

However, the Barracuda had other plans. With a pair of goals, they claimed the lead again for the first time since the opening frame. Scott Reedy cruised in unmarked to receive the pass from Lean Bergmann from behind the net.

With the extra man, Texas got caught arguing with the refs over what appeared to be a puck covered by a Barracuda skater. San Jose went the other way 2-on-1 against an empty net for the 5-3 final. These two clubs play again tomorrow night at 8 PM again.

Injuries, scratches, and notes:
Kawaguchi, Stranges, Porco, Honka, L. Martin, M. Martin, Sholl (scratch)
Scherbak (face injury)

AHL Gamesheet - Texas at San Jose - April 16 2021