Phoenix storms past Condors, 4-1
Bakersfield remains in seventh place with a two-point lead over the RoadRunners
PHOENIX, Ariz.. - The Phoenix RoadRunners handed the Bakersfield Condors a 4-1 setback on Thursday night in front of 4,647 fans at US Airways Arena. The RoadRunners pull within two points of the Condors in the National Conference playoff race, and pass the Stockton Thunder for eighth place.
The Condors (25-37-9, 59pts) and RoadRunners (24-38-9, 55pts) were meeting for the final time on the season, and Phoenix, with their backs to the wall tonight, drew first blood. C Peder Skinner put home his 23rd of the season at 17:07 of the opening frame, beating Condors G Yutaka Fukufuji to make it 1-0. The RoadRunners led in shots 13-8 in the period and both clubs were scoreless on two power plays in the first.
Phoenix extended the lead with a pair of second period tallies. RW Sean O'Connor redirected home a centering feed at 1:36 of the middle frame to make it 2-0, and C Gino Guyer netted his 14th of the campaign by putting a rebound into the back of the net on a RoadRunners power play to make it 3-0. G Taylor Dakers stopped an additional 11 shots in the period to keep the Condors scoreless through 40 minutes. Shots were 19-19 after two.
Bakersfield got on the board early in the third with a power play goal by LW Mark Derlago at 2:50. But the RoadRunners regained the three-goal cushion less than a minute later. Dakers handled it the rest of the way, finishing the night with 29 saves and putting the RoadRunners at 5-3-0 against the Condors this season.
To view the complete box score from tonight's game, click here.
Notes from The Nest:
The Stockton Thunder lost tonight, 5-3 in Utah, leaving them three points behind the Condors in the standings, and dropping them a point behind Phoenix and into ninth place in the conference. They have two games remaining... Derlago's tally extended his goal streak to three games. He extended his Condors/ECHL record, and Condors rookie record, with his 36th of the season tonight.
Playoff 4-Packs:
Don't wait until April 8 to purchase your Condors playoff tickets! Playoff 4-packs allow fans to reserve the same great seats for each of the first four Condors home games during the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs, as well as save money. Playoff 4-Packs start at just $28; for more information, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).
Upcoming Games:
The Condors wrap up the regular season Friday night on the road against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Game time is 7:05 p.m. from the Orleans Arena.
All Condors games, home and away, can be heard on the all-new ESPN 1230AM with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to the drop of the puck.
Individual game tickets for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs go on sale Tuesday, April 8 at 10 a.m. at the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location.
Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).
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