Bakersfield rings in the New Year with a 4-1 win over Utah

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Bakersfield Condors (8-22-3-0, 19pts) closed out 2011 in style with a 4-1 victory over the Utah Grizzlies (15-13-0-3, 33pts) at the Maverik Center on Saturday night.

The first period went scoreless, but did not lack in controversy as LW Jesse Gimblett was given a five-minute major penalty and a 10-minute misconduct for elbowing by the linesmen following the play at 16:53. Much of the ensuing major penalty was negated by two Utah penalties while on the man advantage. Bakersfield outshot the Grizzlies, 16-9.

Bakersfield opened the scoring in the second period at 6:48 when RW Alain Goulet deposited a loose puck past Grizzlies G Shane Owen to give the Condors a 1-0 lead. Then, after a slew of Condors penalties resulted in five skaters in the penalty box, the Grizzlies capitalized on a five-on-four power play at 11:25 when LW Paul McIlveen blasted a hard shot past Condors G Matt Keetley to tie the game at 1-1. Shots favored Bakersfield, 16-13.

The third period belonged to the Condors as they scored three unanswered to close out the Grizzlies. RW Scott Freeman redirected a Peter Boyd pass through Owen to put the Condors in front to stay at 2-1, 5:36 into the third period. At the 10:42 mark, great passing from Boyd and F Tyler Helfrich set up C Robby Dee who scored his 12th of the season past Owen to make it 3-1 Bakersfield. Freeman added an empty-netter to give the Condors a 4-1 victory.

Click here for the box score

Condors Droppings:

The teams will meet eight more times this season with the next three meetings coming in Utah…F Tyler Helrich has a five-game point streak (2g-6a)…C Robby Dee has 15 points in his last 13 games and is on a five-game point streak (1g-5a)…LW Matt Marquardt is on a four-game point streak (3g-1a)…D Tyson Gimblett fought F Logan MacMillan in the second period…The Condors have now won two straight games on New Year’s Eve…Shots on goal: BAK- 44, UTA – 34…PP: BAK 0/6, UTA 1/9…Three Stars: 1. Freeman (BAK) ; 2. Boyd (BAK); 3. McIlveen (UTA).

On to Ontario

Bakersfield wraps up the three-game road trip on Tuesday night in Ontario against the Reign at 7 p.m. Tune in to all the action on Fox Sports 970 AM, online at www.foxsports970am.com, or through the iheartradio app. Fans can watch the game throughwww.americaone.com.

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 towww.bakersfieldcondors.com.

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