San Jose rebounded from a heartbreaking loss and held off San Diego, 5-3, in Game 2 of the teams’ Pacific Division semifinal series at Pechanga Arena on Thursday night.
Tied at 1-1, the best-of-five series resumes Monday night in San Jose.
The Barracuda led throughout Game 2, one night after building 3-0 and 5-3 leads before falling in overtime of the series opener.
Evan Weinger opened the scoring 12:19 into the first period with the first of his two goals on the night, and Ivan Chekhovich made it 2-0 off a scramble in the crease during a 5-on-3 power play early in the second.
Chase De Leo scored shorthanded just 31 seconds later to pull the Gulls back within a goal, but Jon Martin banked a sharp-angle shot in off a San Diego defender at 9:27 to give the Barracuda a 3-1 advantage.
The Gulls twice cut the deficit back to a goal late in the third period, but both times the Barracuda answered with empty-netters.
Josef Korenar (1-1), who stopped 31 of 34 shots in a relief appearance in Game 1, got the start in Game 2 and made 27 saves for his first postseason win.
Jeff Glass (1-1) stopped 22 of 25 shots in the loss.
Pacific Division Semifinals – Series “H” (best-of-5)
P2-San Jose Barracuda vs. P3-San Diego Gulls
Game 1 – Wed., Apr. 17 – SAN DIEGO 6, San Jose 5 (OT) | Recap
Game 2 – Thu., Apr. 18 – San Jose 5, SAN DIEGO 3
Game 3 – Mon., Apr. 22 – San Diego at San Jose, 10:00
Game 4 – Wed., Apr. 24 – San Diego at San Jose, 10:00
*Game 5 – Thu., Apr. 25 – San Diego at San Jose, 10:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
