Condors Weekly: Three home games on tap for the season finale

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors went 1-2-0-0 on the week, including a thrilling 6-5 win Friday night in Stockton. The team now holds a 23-39-4-3 record, with 53 points in the standings.

Only three games remain for the Condors in the 2011-12 season, all on home ice this week. Despite being eliminated from playoff contention, the Condors have been one of the top clubs in the league over the last seven weeks, recording at least a point in 15 of their last 20 games.

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Wednesday, Mar. 28 vs. Alaska (7 p.m.)
Friday, Mar. 30 vs. Utah (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Mar. 31 vs. Utah (7 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Wednesday, Mar. 21

Colorado 3 vs. CONDORS 2
Attn: 3,412

After falling behind 2-0 to the Eagles Wednesday night, the Condors stormed back with a a pair of second period goals by F Evan Trupp. But an early third period tally by F Alex Penner regained the lead for the visitors, and they held on for the win.

Friday, Mar. 23 
Condors 6 vs. STOCKTON 5
Bakersfield raced out to a 5-1 lead in Stockton and held on for a 6-5 victory Friday night. Six different Condors lit the lamp in the game, including all three California natives on the Bakersfield roster. The Thunder scored twice in the final 65 seconds to make it a close contest, but G Scott Greenham made 36 saves to improve to 2-0 with the Condors. 

Saturday, Mar. 24
STOCKTON 3 vs. Condors 2
The Condors held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 Saturday night, but the Thunder rallied each time and skated to a 3-2 victory in the Condors final road game of the season. LW Kyle Calder scored both goals for Bakersfield, while G Matt Keetley suffered the loss in his return to the Condors line up from the American Hockey League.

PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

  • The Condors tied a season-high with six goals on Friday, the fifth time they scored six goals this season.
  • Bakersfield played their final road game of the season Saturday. They finished 9-4-0-1 over their last 14 road games.
  • The Condors are 13-5-0-2 over their last 20 games. They have scored four or more goals in 14 of those games.
  • Four Condors have made the jump to the American Hockey League: F Robby Dee (Abbotsford), G Matt Keetley (Syracuse, Houston), F Alex Hudson (Manchester), G Scott Greenham (Houston).
  • F Evan Trupp’s five-game scoring streak came to an end Saturday night. He has 20 points (9g-11a) in 22 games with Bakersfield since being acquired from Cincinnati earlier this season.

THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
All practices are at Rabobank Arena unless otherwise indicated
Monday, Mar. 26 – 6 – 8 p.m. Kids Club Party w/ the team (Rollerama, 7850 Brimhall Rd.)
Tuesday, Mar. 27 – 10 a.m. practice
Wednesday, Mar. 28 – 10 a.m. practice
7 p.m. vs. Alaska
Thursday, Mar. 29 – 10 a.m. practice
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Condors Insider (FSR 970AM)
Friday, Mar. 30 – 10 a.m. practice
7 p.m. vs. Utah
Saturday, Mar. 31 – 7 p.m. vs. Utah
Sunday, Apr. 1 – Season ends
Monday, Apr. 2 – Season Ticket Holder Party w/ the team
6 – 8 p.m. (Bakersfield Marriott)

Blood Drive Night, Street Hockey Sets and Ben 10 this week

Bakersfield wraps up the season with three games on home ice this week, starting with Wednesday’s Blood Drive Night against the Alaska Aces, sponsored by My 45 and KUZZ 107.9. Anyone who donates, or has donated blood at Houchin Blood Bank during the month of March can get into this game for just $1. 

Utah comes to town this weekend for games Friday and Saturday night. Friday’s game features Street Hockey Stick & Puck Set Giveaway, sponsore by ABC23, HOT 94.1 and Three-Way Automotive Group. The first 2,000 kids 12 and under will get a Condors street hockey set, which includes two sticks and a puck.

Saturday night welcomes Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 making an appearance, sponsored by Bright House Networks, 101.5 KGFM and Farmers Insurance. Ben 10 will meet the kids and pose for pictures in the Condors Photo Booth. Also, Condorstown native and NASCAR driver Ryan Reed will be at the game signing autographs, plus his actual car will be on the Rabobank Arena Plaza prior to the game.

All three games commence at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. All Condors games can be heard live on Fox Sports 970AM, online at www.foxsports970AM.com or through your smartphone via the iHeartRadio app. Fans can also watch the game online at www.AmericaOne.com.

CONDORS LEAGUE LEADERS:

Team Stats
71 major penalties – 2nd
12 shorthanded goals – t-1st

Individual league leaders
F Tyler Helfrich – 48 points (6th, rookies)
F Robby Dee – 23 goals (t-2nd, rookies)
F Robby Dee – 45 points (t-10th, rookies)
RW Scott Freeman – 4 shorthanded goals (t-3rd; t-1st, rookies)
F Robby Dee – 4 shorthanded goals (t-3rd; t-1st, rookies)
F Peter Boyd – 3 shorthanded goals (t-3rd, rookies)
D Tyson Gimblett – 150 PIM (1st, rookies)
D Tyson Gimblett – 12 major penalties (2nd, rookies; 2nd, defensemen)
F Hans Benson – 16 major penalties (t-3rd)
LW Kyle Calder – 24.0% shooting pct. (3rd)

CONDORS LEADERS:
Points: F Tyler Helfrich, 48
Goals: F Robby Dee, 23
Assists: F Tyler Helfrich, 31
PIM: D Tyson Gimblett, 150
+/-: D Josh Van Dyk, +8
GAA: G Matt Keetley, 2.97
Save %: G Matt Keetley, .910
Wins: G Matt Keetley, 12

GET TICKETS:
Renew your Condors season tickets now for the 2012-13 season and get a special Condors Cup that grants you $1 sodas for the rest of this season! The earlier you sign up, the more you save, and the more tasty $1 beverages you can enjoy at Condors games. Call the Condors office at 324-PUCK to renew your ticket package today.

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