Condors go down swinging against the Reign

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (23-14-2-2, 50pts) skated to a 5-1 win over the Bakersfield Condors (10-29-4-1, 25pts) in a game that turned nasty at the end. A line brawl and several ensuing skirmishes led to a record 278 minutes in penalties, bringing a crowd of 5,188 fans to their feet at Rabobank Arena Saturday night.

Ontario scored on their first shot of the game, with F Bill Bagron making it 1-0 just 59 seconds in. A full period later, the Reign lit the lamp on their first shot of the second period as well, with D Steven Tarasuk beating G Bryan Pitton to make it 2-0. Ontario added another goal at 13:50 of the second, with C C.J. Stretch potting a power play marker.

In the third, the Reign put the game out of reach, adding a goal by LW Kevin Estrada at 4:13 to make it 4-0. The Condors got on the board at 8:02 when F Parker Stanfield slipped in his third of the season to make it 4-1. Another Ontario goal accounted for the final score at 13:58, but the game was far from ending.

A hard hit by F Ian McKenzie on the Reign’s Estrada sparked a brawl with just over a minute remaining in the game. Several fights broke out simultaneously, involving LW Jesse Gimblett, D Justin Pender, McKenzie and others from the Condors, plus a rousing tilt between both goaltenders. When play resumed, other fights broke out with LW Hans Benson and D Tyson Gimblett, and even Head Coach Matt O’Dette was ejected from the contest.

When the dust settled, 278 penalty minutes were handed out, along with 14 ejections and 18 fighting majors. The penalty minute total was a Condors record.

Click here for the box score

Matt O’Dette post-game comments

Condors Droppings:

The record penalty minute total broke the previous record of 254, set one year ago to the day, on the road against the Alaska Aces… This was the final meeting of the ten-game season series… F Parker Stanfield has two of his three goals on the season this week, scoring on Wednesday as well… Shots on goal: BAK- 29, ONT- 31… PP: BAK 0/2, ONT 1/8… Three Stars: 1. Bagron (ONT), 2. McKenzie (BAK), 3. Stanfield (BAK).

Student IDs, Valentines & Space Jerseys next week

The Condors homestand continues next week with three games at Rabobank Arena. Wednesday they host the Stockton Thunder for High School/College ID Night. Present your valid student ID at the box office and purchase a $1 lower level ticket.

Friday Colorado comes to town for a two-game weekend series, and the first 2,000 kids 12 and under will get a set of Condors Valentines, sponsored by My 45, KERI 1410AM and Farmers Insurance. The Valentines feature Condors players and hockey-related sayings like “PUCK-er up” or “Don’t leave me shorthanded”!
Saturday the team will wear space jerseys for a Jersey Off Our Backs Night, sponsored by Bright House Networks, La Campesina 92.5, and Bud Light. Five of the jerseys will be given away for free and the rest will be auctioned off to benefit the Asthma and COPD Education Center.

Get Tickets

Pick-4 Plans are on sale now, featuring the most sought-after games for the second half of the season, starting at just $32. For more information or to reserve your tickets call 324-PUCK (7825) today.

Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena box office by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on gamedays. For more information on ticket packages, exciting promotions, and to sign up for the Kids Club for just $10, log on to www.bakersfieldcondors.com.

Follow the Condors all season long, for team news, player moves, promotions, and more on Twitter (@Condors) and Facebook (facebook.com/BakersfieldCondors). Be the first to know!