By Ryan Carlson @RyanCarlson88
After an exciting late-season run to make the playoffs, the San Jose Barracuda were eliminated by the Tucson Roadrunners in four games in the first round.
Late in the season, the Barracuda not only had to win out in the month of April, but also relied on the San Diego Gulls losing their last three games against Tucson.
Both scenarios happened, and the Barracuda made the Calder Cup playoffs for a third-straight season.
San Jose was a clear underdog against Tucson, going up against the top-seeded Roadrunners, who won the Pacific Division.
Game four ended with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the Roadrunners, who will now advance to play the Texas Stars in Round 2.
The Barracuda played well against the Roadrunners in the regular season, but games three and four turned out to be quite the opposite as the Barracuda were not able to get a single goal in the final two games.
Tucson goalie Adin Hill earned another first star honor with his second-straight shutout of the playoffs. Tucson right wing Mario Kempe was able to net two goals, helping the Roadrunners win the series 3-1.
It was a tough series for the Barracuda, who gave their fans something to cheer about by making the playoffs, but now it’s day one of a long offseason.