Jacksonville Barracudas Hockey

This weekend the Cudas rolled down to TBSA for a couple of rematches from earlier in the season, with State Tournament qualifier hopes on the line. The Cudas knew they had to fight hard to take these two games and leave Oldsmar with 4 points.

BARRACUDAS 1   Florida Jr Everblades Green 0

The first game was against the Everblades Green to whom the Cudas had suffered a tough loss earlier this season by a 1-0 score. The game was physical with lots of checking and toughness needed to be successful. The focused Cudas put shot after shot on net figuring eventually they would find a hole in the Everblade armor. It was on the 2nd Period Power Play that the break finally came, The Cudas notched the game’s only goal. The Game winning tally was put home on a beautiful cross-crease pass from (9) Alex Morley to (17) Timmy Lynch who slammed it into the net. Great team defense made the lone goal hold up and secure the victory, as  (35) CJ Judd & The Cudas extended their shut out streak through 7 periods.

BARRACUDAS 4    Tampa Bay Jr Lightning Black 2

The Lightning came out striking and scored the game’s first goal and snapping the scoreless streak to take the 1-0 lead at exactly 1:00 minute into the period. The Cudas eventually settled down and just as early in the 2nd period they were able to tie the game . Another physical battle ensued as both teams fought hard to earn some quality chances. The Cudas eventually took the lead,  as they scored two more times as they carried a 3-2 lead midway into the third period, but always had the Lightning on their heals as the Cudas lead by only one goal for much of the game. The Lightning pulled their goalie late in the final stanza and the Cudas were able to gain control of the puck and put in an empty netter with :06.3 remaining to secure the win.

Goal 1: (13) Hunter Buben took control of the puck and got up a head of steam passing skater after skater as he made his way down the ice and deked the goalie with an awesone move and slid the puck in the net.

Goal 2: (17) Timmy Lynch circles the zone, makes a cut into the slot and launches a wrister just under the crossbar.

Goal 3: (9) Alex Morley takes a feed from (17) Timmy Lynch and makes no mistake depositing his offering behind the goalie for the score.

Goal 4: (25) Austin Buben gains control of the puck and skates to an opening where he can slide the puck down the ice and into the open net from half Ice.

The Pee Wee Team traveled to RDV in Orlando for 2 CFHL League games on Saturday.

BARRACUDAS  3    Orlando Jr Knights 1

In the 4th battle of the season between the Jr Knights and the Cudas both teams came out skating hard as usual, but it was the defense and the goaltenders winning the first period 0-0.

The Cudas were able to open the scoring in the second period, when (17) Timmy Lynch took a break out coast-to-coast on the Cudas 3rd Power Play opportunity and neatly deposited the puck top shelf for a one goal lead. Later in the period the Cudas took advantage of their next PP opportunity as (25) Austin Buben pick-pocketed a Knight player and went on his own breakaway snapping a great shot into the top of the net as the Knight Goaltender went to his knees. The Knights quickly struck back 20 seconds later and the 2nd period ended 2-1. Eight minutes into the third period  the Cudas got the insurance goal they needed as (19) Adam Zager got the loose puck high in the offensive zone and targeted a low shot at the Knights goal finding the back of the net. The Cudas played an excellent team game, but ironically it was 3 unassisted goals that gave them the victory.

Gulf Coast Flames 2  BARRACUDAS 1

In the second game of the day the Cudas were matched against Gulf Coast for the first time this season. The Flames generated a lot of offense in this game and Cuda Goaltender (35) CJ Judd kept turning away the rubber. The Flames broke the Ice in the first period, scoring the initial tally of the game. That lone goal would take some time to be matched but (25) Austin Buben was able to get the Cudas even off a pass from (17) Timmy Lynch’s blade early in the third to knot up the game. All looked deadlocked until the Flames ignited a breakaway and extinguished the Cuda’s fire with only :08 seconds remaining in the game.

The Squirts had two home games on Nov 20 and walked away with 3 SFHL League Points.

BARRACUDAS 7  Tampa Bay Jr Lightning 2

In the first contest at Jax Ice, the Cudas controlled the game as Joey Musa netted a hat trick worth of goals… Connor Gatto added a goal and a couple of assists and Alan Meyer also tallied for the Cudas.

The defense was stingy as Darren Mahin had a notable day at the blue line turning back the opposition and assisting goaltender Daniel McCarthy to tally his 6th victory.

BARRACUDAS 3   Brandon Jr Bulls 3

In the nightcap, the Cudas ran into an aggressive Jr Bulls team. Both teams moved the puck end to end in this game and at the conclusion, each team lit the lamp 3 times.

Tallies for the Cudas came off of the sticks of Austin Buben, Joey Musa and Michael Keller in front of the home crowd.

This weekend the Cuda PW’s packed up for another trip down south back to TBSA in Oldsmar for two games. Saturday’s opponents were the Orlando Jr. Knights and Team Raiders.

Game 1 Recap: Barracudas 4  Orlando Jr Knights 3

The Barracudas fell behind early trailing 2 – 1 after the first period. But the Cudas hung tough and battled back with three – 3 rd Period goals to take the victory.

Goal 1: (25) Austin Buben stationed himself in front of the net and one-timed a great pass from (17) Timmy Lynch who was being jammed up in the right corner.

Goal 2: (13) Hunter Buben similarly hammers home a pass only from the left side this time from (23) Donovan Tehan.

Goal 3: (17) Timmy Lynch finds a crease through the maze of Knights and outskates the defense and lays his patented move on the goalie for the score.

Goal 4: (23) Donovan Tehan sees an opening down the right side and unloads a rocket slapshot from the right circle which finds the upper left side of the net.

Game 2 Recap: Raiders 3   BARRACUDAS 2

Quite a hockey game as the Cudas tried to gain ground on the first place Raiders.  The Cudas lead 1 – 0 until midway through the contest when the Raiders knotted the score.

It remained that way until just under 2 minutes left when the Raiders scored a go ahead goal. The Raiders then netted their 3rd Goal with 1:14 to play. The Cudas never quit though,

They pulled the goalie and scored with 12.4 seconds remaining to get within one. The Cudas won the final face off and moved the puck into the Raiders zone and amazingly were able to get one more scoring chance that went just wide.

It was an excellent effort by the Cudas against a solid Raiders team.

Goal 1: (17) Timmy Lynch works the neutral zone and negotiates a path to the net showing off his backhand as he tallies again for the Cudas.

Goal 2: (17) Timmy Lynch rushes the net as the Cudas have an extra skater and is able to put home the 2nd goal of the game on a helper from (9) Alex Morley.

CFHL Game # 7, TBSA Oldsmar, FL

So Florida Jr Everblades  0

BARRACUDAS  1

Recap: Not intimidated by the size of the players on the Everblades team, the Cudas came out tough and with attitude. A very defensive game ensued with several good checks, saves and defensive plays by the entire team. Neither team was able to get on track offensively but the Cudas were able to take advantage of a quality shot on net. CJ Judd made some very timely saves as well as his counterpart for the Blades … but it was Judd who posted his 2^nd shutout.

1: (9) Alex Morley took a pass from (25) Austin Buben which he put on net from the left circle. The puck caromed off the inside of the goalies pad and slid through the 5 hole for the goal.

It was great to have Timmy Lynch back in action for the Cudas and Tommy Henry had his first PW Cuda action as well.

Cuda Goals: 9 (25)

Cuda Penalties: 61 Tripping

Goalie: Judd (x saves)

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CFHL Game # 8, TBSA Oldsmar, FL

T Bay Jr Lightning White  8

BARRACUDAS  1

The TBJL White team came out buzzing with an attacking game plan that just befuddled the Cudas in period 1. Looking at a 5-1 deficit going into the 2^nd, the Cudas began to show some positive signs of being able to keep up. The Cudas worked hard in the 2^nd and 3^rd and didn’t give up…we can all be proud of their effort in this clearly overmatched situation.

Goal 1: (25) Austin Buben finds a seam for a breakaway on a pinpoint pass from (18) Chase Malone. Austin deked the goalie and deposited the puck on a backhand over the goalie’s shoulder.

Cuda Goals: 25 (18)

Cuda Penalties: 7 Intfce, 17 Hooking

Goalie: Judd (x saves)