Condors Weekly: Back home after successful trip to Victoria

BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- The Bakersfield Condors emerged from a three-game trip to Victoria last week with a 2-1-0 record. Wins on Friday and Saturday pushed the Condors to within seven points of clinching a Kelly Cup Playoff berth and vaulted the team into fifth place in the Western Conference.

 

The Condors own a 31-25-2-1 record on the season, with 65 points. They trail the Stockton Thunder by just two points in the conference standings for fourth place, and this week’s opponent, the Idaho Steelheads, by three points for third place.

 

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):

Tuesday, Mar. 8 vs. Idaho (7 p.m.)

Friday, Mar. 11 vs. Idaho (7 p.m.)

Saturday, Mar. 12 vs. Idaho (7 p.m.)

 

WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):

Wednesday, Mar. 2

VICTORIA 3 vs. Condors 0

The Salmon Kings scored on a 5-on-3 power play 12:27 into the first period, and never looked back, taking down the Condors 3-0. G David Shantz earned his 5th career shutout as a Salmon King, setting a club record.

 

Friday, Mar. 4

Condors 2 vs. VICTORIA 1

Despite missing three of their top forwards, the Condors bounced back with a 2-1 win. D Ryan Turek opened the scoring for the second straight game, but F Tibor Varga scored his first ECHL goal Stephane Gouletin the second, which was followed by a marker for LW Guillaume Lefebvre 2:04 later. G Brian Stewart stopped 22 of 23 shots to earn the win.

Saturday, Mar. 5
Condors 5 vs. VICTORIA 2

RW Stephane Goulet led the Condors with 3 goals and one assist to grant the Condors 4 out of 6 points in the three game series. C Adam Naglich and LW Guillaume Lefebvre also tallied for Bakersfield. F Andrew Ianiero recorded three assists, bringing his Condors career total to 239, 7 shy of Steve Dowhy’s mark of 246, which is 2nd All-time in Condors/Fog franchise history.

 

PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

  • RW Stephane Goulet recorded the second hat trick of the season on Saturday. It was the first hat trick of his professional career and the 60th hat trick in Condors history.
  • The Condors had three players recalled to Houston of the American Hockey League last week: G Josh Tordjman, RW Pascal Morency and C Joel Broda. All three remain in the AHL.
  • G Brian Stewart played all three games in Victoria, and surrendered just five goals. He has won 8 of his last 9 starts.
  • Tuesday’s game opens up a nine-game home stand for Bakersfield, which ties a club record for longest home stand. The other time was during the 1998-99 season.
  • The Condors have won seven of their last nine games dating back to February 18 against Ontario.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:(all practice times subject to change)
Monday, Mar. 7 – Day Off

6:-8:30 p.m. Kids Club Party @ Rollerama West

Tuesday, Mar. 8 – 10 a.m. practice, Rabobank Arena

7 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads

Wednesday, Mar. 9 -TBD

Thursday, Mar. 10 -10 a.m. practice, Rabobank Arena

Friday, Mar. 11 – 10 a.m., practice, Rabobank Arena

7 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads

Saturday, Mar. 12 – 10 a.m., practice, Rabobank Arena

7 p.m. vs. Idaho Steelheads

Sunday, Mar. 13 – Day Off

 

ON THE DOCKET:

The Condors host three games against the Idaho Steelheads this week, starting with Tuesday, Mar. 8 at 7 p.m. Tuesday’s game is the Canned Food Collection drive, sponsored by My 45, 96.5 Max FM, and Payment Systems Worldwide. Fans who donate two non-perishable food items can receive $1.00 terrace admission to the game. The food will be donated to the Golden Empire Gleaners. It is also a Half Price Beer Night, courtesy of Bud Light. Half price beer will be served in Condors cups until the end of the first intermission.

 

Street Hockey Stick and Puck Giveaway takes place on Friday, sponsored by Hot 94.1 and Three Way Automotive Group. The first 2,000 children, 12 and under, will receive a Condors Street Hockey Stick & Puck set, which includes two sticks and a puck.

 

The weekend wraps up with Charlie Sheen Night and St. Patty’s Day Jersey Off Our Backs Raffle and Auction, sponsored by McDonald’s. Game-worn St. Patrick’s Day themed jerseys will be auctioned off after the game, plus everyone in attendance has a chance to win one of five to be given away!  All proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House. Fans can also earn free admission with a clean drug test, or dress up like your favorite Charlie Sheen character and get in for two-and-a-half bucks. The first 1,000 men will also get Charlie Sheen masks. Click here to see the promotional schedule.

 

All three games this week can be heard on Fox Sports Radio 970 AM, online at foxsports970am.com, as well as on your smartphone through the iheartradio app. You can also watch the games streaming live through America One. Saturday’s game will be joined in progress following the Lakers game on Fox Sports 970. Saturday’s game can also be seen live on Bright House Networks Cable Channel 21.

 

CONDORS LEAGUE LEADERS:

Condors – 59 major penalties (5th, ECHL)

Condors – 1,237 PIM (4th, ECHL)

G Josh Tordjman – 1,018 saves (4th, ECHL)

G Josh Tordjman – 3 shutouts (t-1st, ECHL)Michael Gergen

LW Brad Snetsinger – 194 shots on goal (t-4th, ECHL)

RW Erick Lizon – 171 PIM (4th, ECHL)

F Michael Gergen – 4 shootout goals (t-1st, ECHL)

F Michael Gergen – .667 shootout percentage (t-2nd, ECHL)

 

CONDORS LEADERS:

Points: RW Stephane Goulet, 47

Goals: RW Stephane Goulet, 22

Assists: C Slava Trukhno, 33

PIM: RW Erick Lizon, 171

+/-: D Erik Burgdoerfer, +14

GAA: G Brian Stewart, 2.57

Save %: G Josh Tordjman, .917

Wins: G Josh Tordjman, 16
Get Tickets:

Individual Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena Box Office. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through 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. Group outings are also available for 20 or more people. Lower level group tickets also include a free Condors hat! Call the Condors at 324-PUCK(7825) for more info.