ECHL Bakersfield Condors

A new king in Condorstown: Raymond winningest coach in Bakersfield history

November 18, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - All wins are important, but this one means a little more to Bakersfield Condors head coach Marty Raymond. With the 3-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads Saturday night, before 5,143 at Rabobank Arena, Raymond is now the winningest coach in franchise history.

Raymond, the fourth coach in Bakersfield history, now has 93 all-time regular season wins, surpassing Paul Kelly's 92. He also accomplishes the feat having coached the fewest games in franchise history. Saturday was his 173rd game, Kelly coached 199.

The Condors (7-4-1) have now won back-to-back home games for the first time this season and are 3- 1 on their current six-game homestand. Idaho (8-2- 2) suffers its first regulation loss in seven games, but remains atop the West Division.

After a scoreless first period, the Condors finally drew first blood 1:41 into the second, cashing in a two-man advantage. Brett Lutes was the beneficiary, beating netminder Steve Silverthorne on a rebound. Sean Venedam had the original shot from the point that Silverthorne stopped, but Lutes was right there to knock it in for his fifth goal of the season.

Idaho's Greg Rallo tied it 34 seconds into the third period with his second goal of the year. Derek Nesbitt grabbed the puck in the left wing corner and centered a pass to Rallo, who redirected it past Condors goaltender Jamie Hodson. Marty Flichel also earned an assist, extending his point streak to a league-high 12 games.

Bakersfield, however, responded with two straight goals 2:05 apart. Kevin St. Jacques, who also assisted on Lute's goal, lit the lamp at the 6:45 mark, picking up his own blocked pass and punching it behind an out-of-position Silverthorne. It was Jocko's fourth goal of the year. Then Todd Griffith gave the Condors a 3-1 lead at 8:50 after his wrist shot from the left circle squeezed over Silverthorne's glove. Griffith now has five goals and has scored in all four games as a Condor.

Nesbitt and Rallo connected again at 9:53 of the third, cutting the Bakersfield lead back to one. This time Rallo had the puck on the left side and Nesbitt, standing across the crease, slammed in Rallo's centering feed for his seventh goal. Flichel also got a helper, his second of the night. That was as close as the Steelheads could get, however, as Hodson (30 saves) and company shut the door from there.

Notes: Raymond's all-time coaching record with the Condors is 93-61-19. He officially took over the club on Feb. 26, 2004 replacing Kelly. Griffith is in the midst of a four-game goal-scoring streak. Andrew Ianiero needs one more point for 100 in his Condors career. Alex Kim was acquired from the Long Beach Ice Dogs Friday. He was placed on team suspension Saturday. With Saturday's crowd of 5,143, the Condors have packed in 48,109 in eight games for an average of 6,014. The league average entering Saturday was 4,131.

The Condors continue their six-game homestand Tuesday against the Alaska Aces, with game-time set for 7 p.m. It will be the KGET-TV 17, KHTY Mighty 970 and Barber Honda Project Warm Families Coat Collection and Poster Giveaway. Donate a new or slightly used coat for distribution to needy families, and receive $1 terrace admission to the game. Plus all fans will receive a Condors Thanksgiving poster featuring Scott Balan, Jamie Hodson, Joel Irving, David Kudelka, Brett Lutes, Andrew Oke, Kevin Truelson and Head Coach Marty Raymond. The homestand concludes Saturday, Nov. 25 against the same Aces, with game-time again slated for 7 p.m. It will be the 29 Eyewitness News, KERN 1410 AM and Wells Fargo Bank Teddy Bear Toss. All fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear, or other stuffed animal, to be thrown onto the ice after the Condors score their first goal. The teddy bears will be collected and donated to less-fortunate children through the United Way of Kern County. It will also be a Big Buddies Night, where underprivileged children will be given the opportunity to attend a Condors game for free thanks to local organizations.

You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens and Jeremy Zager calling all the action. Saturday's game against Alaska can be seen live on Bright House Networks (cable channel 21). Most games this season will again be available to view courtesy of B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch the Game Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available via their web site, www.bakersfieldcondors.com. For more information or to reserve ticket packages, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

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