CONDORS CAN’T COMPLETE COMEBACK; GAME 3 SUNDAY
The Bakersfield Condors erased a two-goal deficit with goals 38 seconds apart in the third period, but could not find a game-winner and fell 5-4 to the Coachella Valley Firebirds in Game 2 of their first round series. A deciding Game 3 is tomorrow at 5 p.m.
Coachella Valley grabbed its first lead of the series on the power play midway through the opening frame when Eduard Sale’s backhand bid beat the left pad of Condors netminder Matt Tomkins. The Firebirds outshot the Condors 7-4 in the frame.
The Firebirds extended the lead to 2-0 on a Jagger Firkus power-play goal at 2:34 of the second. Alec Regula (1st) would answer on a Condors power play to pull within one at 2-1 three minutes later. Mitchell Stephens restored the two-goal cushion off a two-on-one rush, the first even strength goal of the game, at 14:10 of the period.
Quinn Hutson (2nd) on the power play cut the lead in half at 3-2 early in the third period. However, the Firebirds took advantage of a fumbled puck off a point shot to make it 4-2. With under nine minutes remaining Atro Leppanen (1st) and Riley Stillman (2nd) scored 38 seconds apart to tie it up at 4-4. However, Oscar Fiskar Molgaard’s second of the period from the high slot gave the Firebirds the lead for good at 5-4.
Poulin has four points in the two games of the series. Viljami Marjala has five assists in the series.
The Condors have scored 10 goals on 38 shots against Nikke Kokko in the series.
CLICK HERE FOR TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS FROM TONIGHT’S GAME
POST-GAME INTERVIEW: Colin Chaulk
PLAYOFF PASSES ON SALE
Passes are available as eight flex vouchers to use for any round, in any quantity. Seats are purchased on a first-come, first-serve basis, so do not be left out on all of the playoff excitement. Purchase yours by clicking here.
GAME 3 TOMORROW
There will be a deciding Game 3 tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Palm Desert. Catch the game on AM 800 Fox Sports Radio and AHLTV on FloHockey. The winner will play Ontario in the Pacific Division Semifinals.
