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Barracuda Report: San Jose Finds Themselves On The Outside Looking In

By Patrick Leiva

Mar 3, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow (89) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 3, 2015; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow (89) skates against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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San Jose finds themselves percentage points out of the Calder Cup playoffs with just 12 games remaining in their inaugural campaign.

The San Jose Barracuda are fighting for their lives with only 12 games remaining in the regular season as the Barracuda are just barely on the wrong side of the Calder Cup playoff chase. Currently, San Jose sits in fourth place in the Pacific with 61 points and a points percentage of .545, trailing the Charlotte Checkers for the final playoff spot out West. The Checkers have a points percentage of .548 but they also have two games in hand on the Barracuda.

The Barracuda find themselves in this precarious position after going 1-2 last week, including two-straight losses against the Condors and Reign. San Jose has left little margin for error at this point in the season as they push to make the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

It was a nice start to the week as the Barracuda picked up their second-straight win when they downed the Stockton Heat, top affiliate of the Calgary Flames, by a 4-1 final on March 9.

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Nikolay Goldobin, who picked up his 16th goal of the year, Jeremy Morin and Bryan Lerg all had multi-point games, while Aaron Dell held down the fort in goal with 30 saves.

However, San Jose was unable to build any momentum off their victory as they came out flat in dropping a 3-2 decision against the top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers, the Bakersfield Condors on Saturday night.

Despite the efforts of their captain, who found the back of the net twice in this one, the Barracuda were unable to overcome a 3-0 deficit. Dell made 25 saves in defeat, and San Jose lost Mirco Mueller in the second after receiving a five-minute major and a game misconduct. It’s been a tough developmental campaign for the former first-round pick as Mueller still tries to find his way in professional hockey.

Finally, San Jose kicked off a six-game home stand the next night by hosting the Pacific Division-leading Ontario Reign, top affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings. Unfortunately, the Barracuda would find themselves trailing by three goals for the second-straight night as the Reign secured a 4-1 victory. 

Troy Grosenick was back between the pipes, but made just 19 stops in this one as Peter Budaj was the difference yet again as he locked down the Barracuda offense.

Next: Donskoi, Burns Lead Sharks Past Bruins

San Jose is back at it tonight in another crucial matchup against the Reign at SAP Center as the Barracuda look to snap their mini slide. Then, the Barracuda will continue their extended home stand when they host the Iowa Wild, top affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, on Saturday night.

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