Sorenson's hat-trick leads San Jose over Tucson, 4-2

SAN JOSE - Marcus Sorenson scored three times, and Mantas Armalis stopped 32 shots to top the Tucson Roadrunners in an exhibition game, 4-2, Thursday night at Sharks Ice in San Jose.

The duo of Sorenson and Armalis were both signed as free agents this past off season by the San Jose Sharks after playing for Djurgardens in the Swedish Hockey League last year.

After a back and forth opening period, San Jose's Dyson Stevenson and Tucson's Trevor Cheek dropped the gloves at 9:55. Stevenson threw a couple of right hands to begin the scrap before Cheek countered with a knockout blow. Stevenson was down for several minutes but was eventually guided to his feet and assisted off the ice by the Barracuda training staff. At 18:19 of the first, Matt Willows (1) beat Marek Langhammer on a nifty backhand finish after he received a pass from Colin Blackwell on an odd-man rush. Just 48 seconds later at 19:07, Henrik Samuelsson (1) tied the game for Tucson from the point.

San Jose's Sorenson (1) ringed a shot off the post in the first period, but in the second he wouldn't be denied. The Swedish sniper went top shelf down the right wing, giving the Barracuda back the lead on the power play at 6:40.

Sorenson (2) continued his offensive dominance in the third when he collected a pass from Danny O'Regan below the hashes and ripped a shot over the blocker of Langhammer to make it 3-1, Barracuda. The RoadRunners got back within one on a Kyle Wood finish at 11:57, but Sorenson completed the hat-trick and secured the win on the penalty kill at 13:14.

Armalis (1-0-0) earned the win while Langhammer (0-1-0) took the loss making 26 saves.

The San Jose Barracuda kick off the 2016-17 season on the road on Oct. 15 against the Stockton Heat (Calgary Flames) at 7:30 p.m. All the action can be heard on the flagship station of the Barracuda, AM 1220 KDOW. The Barracuda's home opener is set for October 28 at SAP Center against the Bakersfield Condors (Edmonton Oilers). Get your tickets today, starting at just $12, by calling 408-977-4747 or by visiting www.sjbarracuda.com.