Aces Steal One From Condors in Overtime, 1-0
April 28, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Kevin Croxton tucked in a rebound on a power play in overtime to lift the Alaska Aces over the Bakersfield Condors in Game 3 of the National Conference Semifinals, 1-0, Friday night, in front of 6,097 at Rabobank Arena. The dramatic win gives Alaska a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of- seven series.
The goal was the first for the Aces in 20 chances with the man advantage in the series. Bakersfield had 11 chances on the power play but came up empty again, and is scoreless in 27 tries.
The Condors came out strong in the first period, firing the puck at Derek Gustafson 18 times, but the Aces netminder didn't allow one to pass.
Tempers flared at the end of the stanza right in front of the Alaska bench, with multiple players on each side involved, ultimately resulting in a power play for the Aces, but the Condors killed it off.
The second period was more of the same, with both teams getting some chances, but neither one scoring. Andrew Ianiero, who leads Bakersfield with five goals in this postseason, came the closest, when he hit the post to the left of Gustafson midway through the stanza.
With just under 10 minutes left, Todd Griffith, who was activated for the game after being out since March 13th when he broke his left hand, broke down the middle, pulled the puck to the backhand, but just couldn't lift it over the sprawled Gustafson's left pad.
Late in regulation, Mike Scott set up Kevin Croxton for a chance down the right side, but Rejean Beauchemin stopped the shot and kept the game scoreless, sending the game to overtime.
Just 51 seconds into the extra sessions, the puck bounced hard off the backboards behind Beauchemin and straight into the high slot. Olivier Filion reached it first and blasted a shot ticketed for the upper corner, but Beauchemin made a spectacular glove save to keep it tied.
Notes: David Kudelka was activated from the 3-day IR and Sheldon Wing was placed on the 3-day IR. Steven Gillen (7-day) remained on injured reserve.
The Condors are back in The Nest to host the Aces for Game 4 Saturday and Game 5 Monday if necessary. Game 4 is 8 p.m. Saturday night, and it's Travel Mug Giveaway, as the first 2,000 fans will receive a Condors travel mug. Game 5 would be 7 p.m. Monday and is Glow Pom-Poms Giveaway.
Playoff tickets for the second round are on sale now and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, by phone at 322-2525 or at any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets for 2007-08 are also available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324- PUCK (7825).
You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens calling all the action. Most games are 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 the web site, www.bakersfieldcondors.com. All home playoff games will be televised lived on Bright House Networks, channel 21.
ECHL Stories from April 28, 2007
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- Aces one win shy of conference finals - Alaska Aces
- Aces Steal One From Condors in Overtime, 1-0 - Bakersfield Condors
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