Teddy Bear Toss – Game preview

TONIGHT’S GAME: Condors v. Utah Grizzlies (GAME: 7 p.m. / Doors: 6 p.m. (STH 5:45 p.m.)
PROMOTIONS: 16th annual Teddy Bear Toss – fans are asked to bring a new or gently used stuffed animal to the game and when the Condors score their first goal, throw them onto the ice. The bears will be donated to local charities by the United Way of Kern County (sponsors are Eyewitness News, KERN 1180 AM and Three Way Chevrolet-Caddillac)
TICKETS: Box Office 1-800-745-3000
PLACE: Dignity Health Home Ice at Rabobank Arena
RADIO: Fox Sports 970 AM / www.foxsports970am.com / iHeartRadio App

TONIGHT

The Bakersfield Condors meet the Utah Grizzlies for the first of 13 meetings in 2014-15. Tonight’s contest is the first time the teams have seen each other since the Condors eliminated Utah in Game 5 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals last season. The first five games in the season series will take place in Condorstown.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Condors ended a five-game winless skid in convincing fashion with a 5-2 win in Stockton on Wednesday night. Five different players lit the lamp for the Condors including RW Josh Winquist who finished with a goal and two assists. G Frans Tuohimaa made 20 saves in the win.

vs Utah Utah fell 6-1 in Stockton last night. F Vinny Scarsella tied the game at 1-1 early in the 2nd period, only to have the Thunder score five unanswered goals for the win. G Joe Howe took the loss, making 11 saves on 15 shots through 40 minutes and was replaced in the third period by G Ryan Faragher for the third period.

TOSSIN’ TEDDIES Tonight is the 16th annual Teddy Bear Toss in Bakersfield, and nearly 90,000 bears have been thrown on the ice. in 2003-04 the tradition really took off, breaking the 6,000 bear plateau for the first time. In 11 seasons since, and average of 6,846 have been collected. Of note: 13 of the 15 TBT goals have been scored by Canadians, 7 of the last 9 goals have been scored in the first period, and last season, rookie F Kale Kessy scored the quickest Teddy Bear Toss goal in team history 33 seconds into the game. It just happened to be his first pro goal and the only goal he would score for the Condors. He was called up two days later and has been in Oklahoma City ever since.

CONDORS NOTES
RW Josh Winquist is tied for 9th in ECHL scoring (and leads all rookies) with 19pts (5g-14a). He is tied for the league lead with 14 assists… C Connor Jones leads the ECHL in power-play points with 11… RW Brendan Brooks (1g-2a) has points in three straight… 30.2% of Condors goals this season have been scored on the power play. The power play is 6-for-17 (35.3%) over the last three games… The Condors are 7-0-0 when leading after two periods.

WHAT TO EAT 
Don’t eat and run just to make it to puck drop. A great pre-game meal is waiting for you at Rabobank Arena! The Tap Room and the Club Room offer up non-traditional arena fare to satisfy your cravings. Here’s what’s available:
Tap Room: Tri-tip chili bread bowls, side salad
Club Room (open to Club Seat holders): Beef burgundy, garlic and bacon potatoes, sautéed green beans and mushrooms, house salad, dinner rolls, chocolate indulgence cake

GET THE BEST SEATS TO TEDDY BEAR TOSS

The big night is here. You have already waited until the last minute. Don’t get caught in line to buy your tickets tonight: save cash, save time standing in line, and sit in the seats YOU want to sit in by purchasing a Teddy Bear Toss Pick 3 plan. TBTP3 holders have access to the best seats in the house, plus you will save money and pick two more Condors games to come to over the next five months. It’s a no brainer! Packages start at just $30. Contact the Condors front office at 324-PUCK (7825).