ECHL Bakersfield Condors

7,914 fans packed The Nest for Opener, Condors edged, 2-1

October 20, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors began the 2008-09 campaign with a narrow 2-1 loss to the Ontario Reign on Opening Night last Saturday. The Condors drew the third-largest crowd in the ECHL on Opening Weekend, as 7,914 fans packed The Nest.

The Condors are 0-1-0 on the season after playing only one game on Opening Weekend. Both the Fresno Falcons and Ontario Reign picked up one win over the weekend for the early lead in the Pacific Division with two points apiece.

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Wednesday, Oct. 22 vs. Stockton (7 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 24 @ Fresno (7:35 p.m.)
Saturday, Oct. 25 vs. Fresno (7 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Saturday, Oct. 18
Ontario 2 vs. CONDORS 1
Attn: 7,914
The Condors struck first with F Matt Caruana's first pro goal at 3:59 of the opening period, and almost went up by two later in the frame when a shorthanded goal was waved off. Moments after the disallowed goal, Ontario tied the game with a power-play goal at 19:39. The Reign took the lead with another power-play goal, this time late in the second period, and held on to win, 2-1, despite the Condors out-shooting Ontario, 13-3, in the third period.
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

RW Jason Bailey was reassigned to the Condors from the Iowa Chops (AHL) on Sunday. The rookie from Nepean, Ontario was selected by Anaheim in the third round (#63 overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and has spent the last two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Ottawa 67's after two years at the University of Michigan (NCAA).
F Matt Caruana made his Condors and ECHL debut, and lit the lamp for the first time in his professional career on Saturday. Last season, he played five regular season games and 13 more in the Calder Cup Playoffs with the Portland Pirates in the AHL after completing his four-year collegiate career at Niagara University (NCAA).
D Tyler Scott registered the assist on Caruana's goal.
G Dave McKee (right) debuted in net for the Condors on Opening Night, and stopped 25 of 27 shots in the loss for a .926 save percentage.
RW Liam Huculak led the way on Saturday with six PIM and F Charlie Kronschnabel was the team leader with five shots on goal.
D Tom Morrow was placed on the 3-day IR on Saturday, and will be eligible to return on Tuesday, Oct. 21, while F Dale Reinhardt was placed on the 7-day IR on Saturday as well, and will be available to be activated on Saturday, Oct. 25.

CONDORS CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT JUST ONE WEEK AWAY!
The Condors Charity Golf Tournament will be held at the Rio Bravo Country Club on Monday, Oct. 27, and participants will once again team up with Condors players for a day of golf to help raise money for Kern Bridges Youth Homes. Teams are composed of four entrants and a Condors player. Entry includes a Condors golf tournament polo, greens fees, cart, range balls prior to the start, a sack lunch and a deep pit BBQ dinner after the tournament, with chances to win prizes throughout the day. There are only a couple spots left and Thursday is the deadline to register, so click here to sign up or call the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825) for more information today!
PROMOTIONAL INFO:
The Condors return to the Mercy and Memorial Hospitals Home Ice at Rabobank Arena on Wednesday, as they host the Stockton Thunder for the first time this season. Wednesday night will be the fifth annual ABC 23 and R&D Leather Furniture Toy Drive. Fans that donate a new, unwrapped toy will receive $1 terrace admission to the game. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

Bakersfield renews its rivalry with Fresno on Friday, as the Condors take to the road for the first time this year to battle the Falcons at Selland Arena. None of the Condors games in Fresno will be available on B2 Networks this year, however, they will still be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and online at bakersfieldcondors.com. Tune in 15 minutes before the Opening Face Off for Condors Countdown with the "Voice of the Condors," Kevin Bartl. Friday night's game will start at 7:35 p.m.

The Condors and Falcons meet at The Nest the very next evening to wrap up the home-and-home series. Saturday night's game will feature the 106.1 KRAB Radio and Bakersfield Ice Sports Center Goalie Mask Giveaway. The first 2,000 kids, 12-and-under, will receive a Condors replica goalie mask just in time for Halloween! Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through 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 www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Average Attendance - 7,914 (3rd)

CONDORS LEADERS:
Points - F Matt Caruana and D Tyler Scott (1)
Goals - Caruana (1)
Assists - Scott (1)
PIM - F Liam Huculak (6)
Plus/Minus - Five players (+1)
GAA - G Dave McKee (2.04)
Save Percentage - McKee (.926)

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 20, 2008


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