CUDA LOSE HEARTBREAKER, DECISIVE GAME 5 SET FOR TUES.

STOCKTON, CALIF. - The San Jose Barracuda (2-2) allowed three unanswered third-period goals and fell 5-3 to the Stockton Heat (2-2) on Sunday night at Stockton Arena in game four of the best-of-five opening round matchup.



San Jose's Danny O'Regan (1) waited just 58 seconds to give the Barracuda an early lead as he shoveled a loose puck past David Rittich along the right side.



In the second, Hunter Shinkaruk (1) tied the score as he received a backdoor feed from Linden Vey at 6:21, and then Garnet Hathaway (2) gave Stockton their first lead at 7:55 as he jammed a loose puck through Troy Grosenick's five-hole at 7:55 from atop the crease after his first shot was denied. San Jose evened the score as Buddy Robinson (3) banked a shot past Rittich at 17:55 from along the goal line.



In the final frame, Tim Heed (2) blasted a slapper top shelf from the right point to give San Jose their lead back at 4:38, but Andrew Mangiapane (1) evened the score at 3-3 as he flipped a shot top shelf from close range at 14:55. At 17:04, Vey (3) pushed Stockton back up by a goal in what would turn out to be the game-winner at 17:04 after the veteran forward lifted a backhand over a sprawled out Grosenick. Vey added an empty-netter at 18:38 to seal the victory.



Grosenick took the hard-luck loss (2-2) after allowing four goals on 32 shots, while Rittich (2-1) claimed the win after making 34 saves on 37 shots.



The Barracuda and Heat battle in a decisive game five on Tuesday, May 2 (7 PM) at SAP Center. Tickets start at just $10, and concession stands will be offering $2 beers and $1 hot dogs. All the action can be heard on AM 1220 KDOW, www.kdow.biz and watched on www.ahllive.com. Tickets are available at the SAP Center Box Office, at 408-999-5757, or online at SJBarracuda.com/tickets.



Goal Scorers:

SJ: D. O'Regan (2), B. Robinson (3), T. Heed (2)

STK: H. Shinkaruk (2), G. Hathaway (2), A. Mangiapane (1), L. Vey (3), L. Vey (4)



Goaltenders:

SJ: T. Grosenick - L (28/32)

STK: D. Rittich - W (34/37)



BARRACUDA Power Play: (0/3)

BARRACUDA Penalty Kill: (2/2)



Three Stars:

1. STK - L. Vey

2. STK - A. Mangiapane

3. STK - G. Hathaway



BOX SCORE