ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors conclude regular season with 3-2 shootout loss

Published on April 5, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - G Jerad Kaufmann made 32 saves in his pro debut, but the Bakersfield Condors fell 3-2 in front of 6,152 fans at Rabobank Arena in the regular season finale Saturday night.

The Condors (33-31-8, .514, 74pts) took the early lead in the first period, with RW Mike Wirll tickling the twine with his 23rd of the season just 3:47 into the contest. After that, the first period got nasty, featuring three separate fights, two injured Reign players and nearly 50 minutes in penalties. Condors G Jerad Kaufmann got his first professional start between the pipes, and was perfect on 14 opening period Ontario shots on goal.

Ontario (38-29-6, .562, 82pts) tied it up early in the middle frame. RW Denny Johnston wristed home the tying goal at the tail end of a Condors power play, just 1:44 into the period. But Bakersfield responded, scoring on a power play later in the period. Wirll snapped home his second of the night past Reign G Linden Rowat at 14:23 of the second. The Condors held a 26-23 lead in shots through 40 minutes of play.

The Reign scored the only goal of the third frame, tying the score again. F Tim Kraus notched his 15th of the season at 5:27, tipping in a rebound on a 2-on-2 rush. Rowat stoned the Condors time and again the rest of the way. He made 19 saves in the third, helping his team force overtime. Rowat made four more saves in the extra session as well, and finished with 47 saves in the game.

With neither team scoring in OT, the game went to the shootout. C Bruce Graham and Wirll both scored for the Condors, but Ontario took the edge by scoring three times on Kaufmann, in seven rounds of the shootout.

PLAYOFF PICTURE:

The SOL, coupled with a Vegas victory over Stockton, leaves the Condors with a 3rd place finish in the Pacific Division, and sets the table for a semi-final matchup against the Wranglers.

The Condors will start the Kelly Cup Playoffs next weekend, traveling to Las Vegas for Games 1 Friday night and Game 2 on Saturday. Face off is 7:30 p.m. from the Orleans Arena both nights.

The Condors will host Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) on April 15, 17 and 18, respectively. The Pacific Division Semi-Finals are sponsored by KGET-TV 17, Goodwill Industries and Cal Water.

Game 3 on Wednesday, April 15 will feature White Hot White Out Rally Towel Giveaway for everyone in attendance. Fans are encouraged to wear white to the game, and combined with the waving white towels, should pose an intimidating image for the visiting Wranglers that night. For season ticket holders, this game is labeled Playoff Game A in your ticket books, as it is the first home playoff game of the season.

On Friday, April 17, Game 4 will feature free Mini-Light Up Fans for the first 2,000 kids 12 & under. Stay cool while the team stays hot, and help light up The Nest with this special playoff giveaway! Game 5, if necessary, will be on Saturday, April 18 with White Out Rally Towels for everyone, while supplies last. The series would then shift back to Las Vegas for Games 6 and 7, if necessary. The doors open at 6 p.m., the puck drops at 7 p.m., each home game of the series.

GET TICKETS

Individual playoff game tickets will go on sale Tuesday, April 7 at 10 a.m. Stay tuned to bakersfieldcondors.com for more information.

The Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at Bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets for the 2009-10 Condors season are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 5, 2009


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