Milwaukee is the destination as the San Jose Barracuda prepare for two games against the Admirals, beginning Friday. The Barracuda are looking to build on a recent win and continue their climb in the American Hockey League standings. This weekend’s games mark a rare visit to Milwaukee for San Jose, their first since January 28, 2018, when they secured a 3-2 victory.
The Barracuda come into the matchup after edging the San Diego Gulls 3-2 on Wednesday at Tech CU Arena. San Jose’s offense came alive early, with goals from Patrick Giles and Quentin Musty giving them a quick lead. Oliver Wahlstrom added to the advantage, but the Gulls mounted a comeback, making for a tight finish. The win improved San Jose’s record against San Diego to 4-2 this season.
A recent roster move has brought a new face to the Sharks organization. On Thursday, the San Jose Sharks acquired defenseman Jett Woo from the Abbotsford Canucks in exchange for Jack Thompson. Woo, 25, brings a wealth of AHL experience, having registered 91 points in 293 career games with Abbotsford and the Utica Comets, and a Calder Cup championship in 2025. He has one goal and seven assists in 26 games this season.
The Barracuda and Admirals last met on October 25th, with San Jose taking a 3-2 victory at Tech CU Arena. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Ethan Cardwell scoring the game-tying goal and Colin White netting the game-winner on a power play. Jakub Skarek was solid in net for the Barracuda, making 20 saves.
A Familiar Foe: Admirals Alumni on Both Sides
This weekend’s series features several players with ties to both organizations. Egor Afanasyev and Jimmy Huntington both previously played for the Milwaukee Admirals. Afanasyev led Milwaukee in scoring during the 2023-24 season with 54 points, even as Huntington contributed 51 points in 85 games over two seasons, helping the Admirals reach the conference finals in 2024. On the other side, former Sharks and Barracuda goaltender Magnus Chrona is now in his second year with the Admirals, arriving in Nashville as part of the trade involving Yaroslav Askarov last August.
Power Play Prowess
Both the Barracuda and the Admirals boast potent power play units. San Jose currently ranks first in the AHL with a 25.1% success rate, slightly ahead of Milwaukee’s 24.4%. Oliver Wahlstrom of the Barracuda is tied for third in the league with 12 power-play goals, while Ryan Ufko of the Admirals is tied for third with 17 power-play assists. Luca Cagnoni of the Barracuda is tied for fifth in power-play assists with 15.
Recent Roster Changes Impacting the Barracuda
The Barracuda are navigating a series of injuries and roster adjustments. Forwards Cam Lund and Ethan Cardwell are both sidelined after undergoing successful surgeries, ending their seasons. Lund was injured after returning from the AHL All-Star Classic, while Cardwell has been out since January 24th. Forward Shane Bowers is expected to miss at least six weeks after undergoing surgery following an injury sustained in a fight on February 7th.
Despite missing five games earlier this season due to an upper-body injury, Filip Bystedt continues to lead the Barracuda in scoring with 41 points. He also leads the team in game-winning goals (5) and overtime goals (2). Bystedt was selected as the Barracuda’s All-Star representative but was unable to participate due to his injury. Forward Oliver Wahlstrom is also heating up, having scored seven goals in his last eight games and currently leads the team with 20 total goals.
The Barracuda have demonstrated a knack for overcoming adversity this season, notching 22 come-from-behind wins. They have a 9-12 record when trailing after the first period and a 14-14-1-0 record when allowing the opponent to score first.
The San Jose Barracuda will face a tough test in Milwaukee this weekend. With strong special teams and a history between the two clubs, fans can expect a competitive series. The games will be available to watch on AHLTV.com on Flo Hockey and listen on SJBarracuda.com and Sharks+SAP Center AppListen.
What impact will the recent roster moves have on the Barracuda’s performance in Milwaukee? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
