Wranglers Shut Out 3–0 by Barracuda in San Jose

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers could not solve the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday night, falling 3–0 at Tech CU Arena in Northern California. Three different San Jose skaters found the back of the net, while Calgary’s push at even strength and on special teams came up short.

San Jose opened the scoring at 16:16 of the first period when Igor Chernyshov notched his ninth of the year, finishing a setup from Jack Thompson and Quentin Musty. The Barracuda doubled the lead just over three minutes later as Cole Clayton scored his second of the season off a pass from Jimmy Huntington.

The Wranglers attempted to regroup in the second, but an early Barracuda power play extended the deficit. Filip Bystedt converted at 2:25, his fourth of the season, with Musty and Luca Cagnoni drawing assists. That marker stood as the final goal of the night, with Calgary unable to generate a breakthrough despite a third-period push.

Goaltender Ivan Prosvetov kept Calgary competitive throughout, stopping 30 of 33 shots for a .909 save percentage.

The loss marks Calgary’s 10th of the season as they conclude their California swing. The Wranglers now return home briefly before traveling to Abbotsford for back-to-back matchups next week.

Calgary meets the Abbotsford Canucks on Tuesday, December 2, and again on Wednesday, December 3. Both games are scheduled for 8:00 pm MT. Fans can watch live on AHLTV via FloHockey at https://flosports.link/46YqCIJ.

UPCOMING SCHEDULED
December 2 | 8:00 PM | Abbotsford Canucks | Rogers Forum
December 3 | 8:00 PM | Abbotsford Canucks | Rogers Forum
December 6 | 7:00 PM | Ontario Reign | Toyota Center
December 7 | 4:00 PM | Ontario Reign | Toyota Center

Wranglers Drop 4–1 Decision to Barracuda on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Saddledome

CALGARY — The Calgary Wranglers fell 4–1 to the San Jose Barracuda Saturday afternoon at the Scotiabank Saddledome, as San Jose completed the two-game sweep in front of a strong crowd for the team’s annual Hockey Fights Cancer game.

The Barracuda struck first at the 8:00 mark of the opening period, when Egor Afanasyev (#11) cut in over the blue line and snapped a low shot far side past Ivan Prosvetov. The goal was the first of the season for the 6'4" left winger from Tver, Russia, who was drafted 45th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2019 and traded to San Jose earlier this year.

San Jose added to their lead after Calgary forward Rory Kerins was called for interference. On the power play, Pavol Regenda (#84) sent a puck into traffic that eventually found Kasper Halttunen (#14), who buried it to make it 2–0. Just minutes later, Halttunen scored again — this time on a clean shot from the left circle for his second of the game and third of the season. The Helsinki-born forward was a second-round pick (36th overall) in 2023 and is currently in the final year of his three-year entry-level contract.

Calgary’s best chance of the first came in the dying seconds, when a Wranglers forward broke in alone, but goaltender Gabriel Carriere stood tall. San Jose outshot Calgary 11–5 in the first.

Tempers flared late in the period as Alex Gallant and Anthony Vincent dropped the gloves, although the fight didn’t escalate beyond a quick exchange. Jimmy Huntington, who had earlier laid a heavy hit on Hunter Brzustewicz, was involved in a scrap of his own later in the second with Calgary’s Nick Cicek — possibly in response to that earlier collision.

Calgary found some life late in the second. After several chances turned away by Carriere, the Wranglers finally broke through with 2:17 left in the period. Aydar Suniev’s shot from the right dot deflected off Sam Morton and then off Lucas Ciona (#17), who redirected it in for his first goal of the season. That cut the deficit to 3–1 heading into the third.

The Wranglers had two power play opportunities in the game but were unable to convert, falling to 6-for-40 on the season (15.0%). San Jose went 1-for-2, improving their power play efficiency to 13-for-50 (26%).

In the third, Calgary pushed hard. Parker Bell had multiple rushes, Matvei Gridin had several looks, and Brzustewicz nearly scored on a wraparound. Carriere was sharp throughout, including a glove save on Regenda shorthanded and a key stop on Brzustewicz walking in from the point.

With time running down, Calgary pulled Prosvetov for the extra attacker, but Colin White sealed the game with an empty net goal — his second goal of the year — making it 4–1 San Jose.

After the game, Barracuda GM Joe Will praised his forward depth, saying several players could contribute at the NHL level this season. He also noted confidence in both of San Jose’s AHL goalies — Carriere and Škarek — to step in and help the big club if needed.

Calgary Wranglers Surge With 8 Straight Points and Battle of Alberta Sweep

CALGARY – The Calgary Wranglers are heating up in a hurry. After a slow start to the season, Calgary has flipped the script with points in eight straight games and a five-game win streak, capped by a dominant weekend sweep over the Bakersfield Condors.

Saturday’s opener saw Calgary take Round 1 of the AHL’s Battle in Alberta with a 4–3 overtime win. Ivan Prosvetov was sharp again, turning aside 35 of 38 shots. Calgary jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first, with Martin Frk and Rory Kerins both hitting the scoresheet. Bakersfield clawed back and forced overtime, where Sam Morton sealed it with his first career OT winner. Morton, William Strömgren, and Matvei Gridin all posted multi-point nights.

On Sunday, Calgary followed it up with a statement. The Wranglers handled Bakersfield 6–1, erasing an early Condors powerplay goal and taking control the rest of the way. Turner Ottenbreit scored his first as a Wrangler, Hunter Brzustewicz added another in the dying seconds of the first, and Calgary never looked back. Aydar Suniev, Morton, Dryden Hunt, and Gridin all scored in a third-period push that buried the Condors. Goaltender Owen Say picked up his second win of the season, stopping 21 of 22 shots.

There are standout performances across the roster during this stretch. Morton has nine points in his last five games, including five across the weekend. Prosvetov has been lights-out with a 1.26 goals-against average and a .961 save percentage over his last three games, including a shutout. Suniev has scored in two of his last four as his offensive confidence continues to build. Gridin sits second in AHL rookie scoring with 11 points.

Calgary now turns its attention to a four-game homestand at the Scotiabank Saddledome, beginning Thursday against the San Jose Barracuda at 7:00 pm. The Wranglers will also host San Jose on Saturday afternoon before Ontario visits for back-to-back games on November 11 and 12.

The Wranglers have found their stride, and the Dome is feeling it.

Wranglers Shut Out 1–0 in Loveland as Owen Say Impresses in AHL Debut

CALGARY – The Calgary Wranglers wrapped up their weekend in Loveland with a 1–0 loss to the Colorado Eagles on Saturday night, a tight defensive contest that saw Calgary shut out despite steady pressure and strong goaltending.

Colorado struck just 42 seconds into the opening frame, and that lone tally stood as the game-winner. The Wranglers battled but couldn’t find the equalizer, going 0-for-5 on the power play and managing 18 shots on goal.

The bright spot came in net, where 24-year-old Owen Say of London, Ontario made his first AHL start and turned heads. The rookie goaltender looked confident and composed, stopping 21 of 22 shots to keep Calgary within striking distance all night. Say joins the Wranglers after playing 27 games last season with the University of Notre Dame in the Big Ten Conference, where he posted a .920 save percentage and a 10-15 record.

Despite the loss, Say’s debut offered encouraging depth between the pipes for a Wranglers team that has leaned heavily on Dustin Wolf in recent seasons.

Calgary now returns home to reset before heading south to Tucson for a two-game weekend series against the Roadrunners. The Wranglers face Tucson on Saturday, October 18 at 8:00 p.m. MST, and again on Sunday, October 19 at 5:00 p.m. MST, with both games taking place at the Tucson Convention Center. After that, the team returns to the Scotiabank Saddledome for back-to-back home games against the Coachella Valley Firebirds on October 24 at 7:00 p.m. MST and October 25 at 6:00 p.m. MST.

Fans can catch all upcoming Wranglers action live on FloHockey.

AHL’s Top 5 Goal Scorers From 2024–25: Kerins Breaks Through for Wranglers

CALGARY — The American Hockey League once again served as a proving ground for scoring talent in 2024–25. Five forwards stood out above the rest, combining consistency, durability, and finishing ability to separate themselves from the pack.

At No. 5 was Bradly Nadeau of St-François-de-Madawaska, New Brunswick. The 19-year-old rookie forward scored 32 goals in 64 games for the Chicago Wolves, immediately putting himself on the radar as one of the league’s most promising young players.

Fourth place went to Rory Kerins of Caledon, Ontario, who delivered a breakout year with 33 goals in 63 games for the Calgary Wranglers. Now entering his fifth year in the Flames organization, Kerins’ progress has Flames fans wondering if he can take the next step and earn a full-time spot with the NHL roster in 2025–26.

Two players tied for second with 36 goals. Alex Steeves, born in St. Paul, Minnesota and raised in Bedford, New Hampshire, scored 36 goals in 59 games for the Toronto Marlies, continuing to make his case as one of Toronto’s most reliable scoring options at the AHL level. Sharing second was John Leonard of Amherst, Massachusetts, who matched Steeves with 36 goals while appearing in all 72 games for the Charlotte Checkers.

The league’s top scorer was Matěj Blümel of Tábor, Czechia. Blümel found the net 39 times in 67 games for the Texas Stars, earning the Willie Marshall Award as the AHL’s leading goal scorer. Dallas will be watching closely to see how quickly his production can translate to the NHL.

From Nadeau’s rookie splash to Kerins’ Calgary breakthrough and Blümel’s award-winning season, the AHL’s top scorers in 2024–25 showed the depth of young talent pushing for NHL opportunities.

For Flames fans, Kerins’ emergence may prove one of the most intriguing storyline as the organization continues to build its roster for the 2025–26 season.

Wranglers Launch Season in Colorado, Host Firebirds October 24–25

CALGARY — Year four of the Calgary Wranglers begins this fall, marking the latest chapter since the club relocated to southern Alberta in 2022. In three seasons at Scotiabank Saddledome, the Wranglers have made the playoffs every year, including a Pacific Division title in their debut campaign, while building rivalries across one of the toughest divisions in the American Hockey League.

The new season opens October 10 with back-to-back road games against the Colorado Eagles, followed by a two-game trip to face the Tucson Roadrunners on October 18 and 19. The Wranglers’ home opener arrives October 24, when they welcome the Coachella Valley Firebirds for the first of two games that weekend.

The AHL is split into two conferences, the 17-team Western and 15-team Eastern, with four divisions beneath them. Calgary plays in the Pacific Division alongside the Abbotsford Canucks, Henderson Silver Knights, Colorado Eagles, Tucson Roadrunners, San Jose Barracuda, San Diego Gulls, Ontario Reign, Bakersfield Condors, and Coachella Valley Firebirds. Each year, 23 of the league’s 32 teams qualify for the Calder Cup Playoffs, with the top seven from the Pacific advancing.

The Wranglers’ leadership has evolved over three seasons. Brett Sutter wore the “C” in the club’s first two years before retiring, with Clark Bishop of St. John’s taking over as captain in 2024. Bishop returns this season alongside veteran forward Martin Frk, who joined last year and quickly became one of the team’s top scorers.

Last season’s points leaders included Rory Kerins with 61, Martin Frk with 60, Dryden Hunt and William Strömgren with 49 each, Sam Morton with 45, Jérémie Poirier with 42, and captain Clark Bishop with 38. These totals reflected a balanced offense, a mix of emerging talent and established contributors.

The Wranglers’ record book has already seen standout marks, highlighted by Matthew Phillips’ 36 goals, 40 assists, and 76 points in 2022–23, and Dustin Wolf’s 42 wins and .932 save percentage that same year. Jakob Pelletier’s 10-point playoff run in 2023 remains a postseason benchmark.

As the Wranglers head into their fourth season in Calgary, the foundation is set: three playoff berths in three years, a growing rivalry with Coachella Valley, and a roster that combines leadership with developing talent. The early-season road trip through Colorado and Tucson sets the stage for a much-anticipated home-opening weekend against the Firebirds.