The 2019 Calder Cup Playoffs had quite an opening act on Wednesday.
Kiefer Sherwood found a loose puck in the crease and knocked home his second goal of the night at the 1:13 mark of overtime as San Diego defeated San Jose, 6-5, in Game 1 of their Pacific Division semifial series at Pechanga Arena San Diego.
The teams go right back at it in Game 2 on Thursday.
Sherwood’s game-winner gave the Gulls their only lead of the night and capped a postseason opener that began with six goals — and two goaltending changes — in the first 10-plus minutes.
The Barracuda raced out to a 3-0 lead on goals by T.J. Hensick, Jeffrey Truchon-Viel and Dylan Gambrell, sending Gulls starter Kevin Boyle to the bench just 6:15 into the contest.
But San Diego responded with three quick goals of its own — including Jacob Larsson and Sam Carrick scoring 37 seconds apart — and the game was square at 3-3 by the 10:18 mark.
Ivan Chekhovich and John McCarthy put San Jose back up by a pair in the second period, but Corey Tropp and Chase De Leo answered before the middle frame was done.
Carrick finished the night with a goal and two assists for San Diego, Larsson and Tropp notched a goal and an assist each, and Ben Street added two assists. Jeff Glass (1-0) stopped 27 of 29 shots in relief and earned the win.
Hensick led the Barracuda offense with a goal and two assists. Josef Korenar (0-1) made 31 saves in relief of Antoine Bibeau.
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)
Game 2 – Thu., Apr. 18 – San Jose at San Diego, 10:00
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