Condors comeback to power past Steelheads

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. The Bakersfield Condors (33-25-2-1, 69pts) scored four goals in the third period to complete the comeback, taking down the Idaho Steelheads (28-21-4-8, 68pts) by a 6-4 score in front of 6,811 fans at Rabobank Arena Friday night.

Click here for Head Coach Marty Raymond’s post-game comments

The Condors fell behind 2:00 into the game when a nasty ricochet from the boards sent the puck in front of the Condors net for an easy tally by RW Junior Lessard. But Bakersfield stormed back to score Slava Trukhnotwice and take the lead. LW Guillaume Lefebvre notched his 7th of the season at 9:10 to tie it up and C Adam Naglich finished up a 2-on-1 with RW Stephane Goulet with his 13th of the season at 15:13. G Brian Stewart made nine first period saves for the Condors, while G Kris Westblom stopped 14 for Idaho.

Idaho rallied in the second, scoring three times to surge in front 4-2. F Geoff Irwin and LW Mark Derlago scored on the power play, and F Aki Seitsonen scored as well to give the visitors the advantage. Shots were 11-8 in the second in favor of the Steelheads.

Not to be outdone, the Condors power play came alive in the third period. F Bobby Robins cut the Steelheads lead in half on the power play at 10:01 and F Jean-Marc Beaudoin evened up the score at 4-4 1:27 later. The Bakersfield power play struck again at 13:11, when F Andrew Ianiero scored putting Bakersfield back on top. F Slava Trukhno finished off the scoring when he deposited a puck into an empty net, granting the Condors the 6-4 comeback win.

Click here for the Boxscore.

Notes:
Tonight’s win ran the Condors record to 10-0-0 at home on Fridays… Lefebvre (3g-1a) and RW Bobby Robins (1g-4a) extended their point streaks to four games… RW Stephane Goulet has 7 points (3g-4a) in his last three games… G Brian Stewart continues to shine, earning his 8th win in his last 9 starts… Coupled with a Stockton loss, the Condors clawed their way into a tie for fourth in the Western Conference and sit just one point behind Idaho for third… Power plays: BAK: 2/6; IDH: 3/8… Three stars: 1. A. Ianiero (BAK); 2. J. Beaudoin (BAK); 3. S. Trukhno (BAK).

 

Next Home Game:

The Condors wrap up the weekend Saturday night against Idaho. The team will wear special St. Patty’s Day jerseys for a Jersey Off Our Backs Raffle and Auction, sponsored by McDonald’s. Five of the game-issued jerseys will be given away for free. In addition, Saturday is also the much-publicized Charlie Sheen Night as well, providing a whole slew of ticket and other specials. Doors open at 6 p.m., the puck drops at 7 p.m. WINNING!

 

TICKETS:

Group tickets are a great way to add to your Condors experience! All you need is 20 family, friends and coworkers to get discounted tickets starting at just $7. Groups get a P.A. Announcement as well as prizes for each group. All members of Lower Level groups also get a Condors hat.
Individual tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena Box Office. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, with extended hours on game and event days. You can also call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or visit them online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket packages start at just $28! Call the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825) or go online to www.bakersfieldcondors.com for more information.