HENDERSON, Nev. \u2014 Grand opening, grand closing.<\/p>\n
The San Jose Barracuda\u2019s Calder Cup hopes were dashed in just two games, as the Henderson Silver Knights won 5-1 on Friday night, sweeping the best-of-3 first round series.<\/p>\n
Game Two was much closer than the lopsided score, as the Silver Knights nailed two empty-netters into the Barracuda\u2019s coffin.<\/p>\n
Frankly, the Cuda probably played better in this 5-1 loss than they did in their sloppy 5-4 OT Game One defeat. On Wednesday, they were outshot 39-22, tonight just 32-27.<\/p>\n
But that\u2019s a cold comfort, as they got swept by the better team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey got a good team. They play fast\u2026They defended well. Tonight, I thought we had a really hard time getting pucks into dangerous areas,\u201d head coach John McCarthy said of Henderson. \u201cThe effort was there. The buy-in was there. I\u2019m proud of my group.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly, the Knights should sweep,\u201d an NHL scout told San Jose Hockey Now earlier this week. \u201cI like [the San Jose Barracuda<\/a>] when they are healthy, but the Knights are healthy too, and they are the best team in the division right now. San Jose caught a bad break with them in the first round.\u201d<\/p>\n Egor Afanasyev scored the Cuda\u2019s lone goal. Top San Jose Sharks prospect Eric Pohlkamp, making his professional debut, netted his first pro point with the primary assist.<\/p>\n Love everything about this\u2026 No overthinking, no forced pass. Pohlkamp just jumps in and gets the puck to the net. MEAT AND POTATOES HOCKEY. \ud83e\udd69\ud83e\udd54\ud83c\udfd2<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/Xcx0GBE61E<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SnipeCity420 \uea00 (@SnipeCity420) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Turning Point<\/p>\n The Barracuda, already down 2-0 after the first period, couldn\u2019t afford to fall further behind against star goalie Carl Lindbom.<\/p>\n But Alexander Holtz got inside Braden Hache and Jett Woo in the second period, smashing home a too-easy rebound:<\/p>\n Slippin’ and Slidin’ and Scorin’ \ud83c\udfa7\ud83d\udea8 pic.twitter.com\/e67BBvS1dN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 \u2694\ufe0f \u2013 Henderson Silver Knights (@HSKnights) April 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n That was more than enough for Lindbom, who stopped 26-of-27 shots.<\/p>\n The Swedish netminder, who ended the regular season 18-0-2, still hasn\u2019t lost in regulation since Jan. 18.<\/p>\n Quote of the Night<\/p>\n \u201cI could care less for that.\u201d<\/p>\n Post-game, Pohlkamp didn\u2019t know where the puck for his first pro point was.<\/p>\n Clearly, the 2023 San Jose Sharks fifth-round pick, coming off an NCAA championship and a Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist campaign, has his sights set higher than the AHL.<\/p>\n Pohlkamp scored his 1st pro point in his pro debut, but that didn\u2019t matter to him after Cuda were eliminated.<\/p>\n Pohlkamp, Woo, Afanasyev & McCarthy spoke after Barracuda’s 5-1 loss to Henderson, full post-game interviews at SJHN YouTube: https:\/\/t.co\/raYiOm7PIm<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LOWLqfFICM<\/a><\/p>\n