The last time the San Jose Sharks’ AHL affiliate advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs was seven years and one city ago, when Justin Braun patrolled the Worcester Sharks’ blueline shortly after playing his final game for UMass.
Tonight at the SAP Center, the San Jose Barracuda make their first appearance in the second round since the team moved westward. They open a seven-game series against the division rival San Diego Gulls, the Anaheim Ducks’ top affiliate.
On paper, the San Jose and San Diego are very evenly matched. Only four points separated the Barracuda and Gulls in the Pacific Division this season, as each team won 43 games, including five against one another.