ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Changes Come for Road-Weary Condors

Published on March 1, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Last Week

Tuesday, February 24

The Condors finished their East Coast swing with a 4-3 loss against the Roanoke Express. The Express took a 1-0 lead in the game, but the Condors bounced back with a pair of power play goals to push in front 2-1 early in the second period. Roanoke lit the lamp three straight times to take a commanding 4-2 lead with less than three minutes remaining. Paul Rosebush's second goal of the night with less than a minute left pulled the Condors close, but they couldn't get the equalizer and dropped their fifth straight game.

Friday, February 27

Back in California but still on the road, the Condors welcomed new Head Coach Marty Raymond behind the bench for his first game at the helm in Fresno. Johan Astrom's 22nd goal of the season gave the Condors a 1-0 lead in the first period, but it was the only offense Bakersfield could muster in the game. Fresno scored late goals in both the first and second periods, and G Mike Brusseau handled the rest, stopping 38 Condors shots for the 2-1 win.

Saturday, February 28 Attendance: 6,980

In front of the second-largest crowd of the season, the Condors took the lead 1-0 against the Wranglers. Jason Jackman notched his second of the season on the power play for the advantage. It wouldn't last though, as Vegas scored four times in the second period to take a 4-2 advantage heading into the third. They added another in the final frame for the 5-2 advantage, handing the Condors their season-high seventh straight loss.

Sunday, February 29 Attendance: 3,274

Marty Raymond earned his first victory as the team's new head coach, as the Condors defeated the South Carolina Stingrays 2-1 on Sunday afternoon. Jani Virtanen and Todd Alexander scored just over a minute apart during the second period, and G Joe Watkins only let in one of South Carolina's 37 shots on goal for the win.

Where We're At

The Condors have a record of 20-31-7 heading into this week, with 47 points on the season. They sit in 5th place in the Pacific Division, 17 points behind the Alaska Aces for the final playoff spot in the division.

This week

The Condors will meet up with the Alaska Aces on Tuesday and Wednesday nights in Anchorage. Both games start at 8:00pm PDT. These are the last two meetings of the season between the two teams, and the Condors hold a 4-3-1 record head-to-head with the Aces.

On Sunday, March 7th, the Condors host the Long Beach Ice Dogs at 2:00pm at Centennial Garden. That day, everyone in attendance will receive a Condors "Splashdown" poster, courtesy of Bright House Networks, Spanish Radio Group and Everlasting Pools. Don't forget the Pre-Game Fiesta, hosted by Spanish Radio & El Californiano, which begins at Noon. Also, wear your best pool party paraphernalia and you might qualify to go on the ice and shoot for a brand new car. Sunday is also Season ticket holder, Skate with the Condors. Immediately following the game all season ticket holders are invited to take to the ice with their Condors (limited skate rental available for $5.00).

All Condors games, home and away, can be heard on KGEO AM 1230, and online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com ( http://www.enn0.com/i.cfm?DID=620485&UID=48360422&MID=347892 ). "Condors Countdown" starts 15 minutes prior to game time, with Kevin Bartl handling the play-by-play.

Individual seats are on sale now, and may be purchased through the Centennial Garden box office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday and 10:00am this coming Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at www.ticketmaster.com ( http://www.enn0.com/i.cfm?DID=620486&UID=48360422&MID=347892 ) or at any Ticketmaster location.

Notes from the Nest

• Joe Watkins' win on Sunday ended a personal winless skid of 10 games for him. He went 0-6-4 during that stretch.

• The Condors seven-game losing streak was the longest of the season for Bakersfield. It also matched the longest such streak in the team's history, done twice, the latest from 2/29 - 3/10, during the 99-00 season.

• Jason Jackman returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing 21 consecutive games with a broken thumb. The Condors have lost 181 man-games to injury this season.

• C Kevin Riehl has an assist in four straight games.

• RW Jon Mirasty leads the ECHL with 27 fighting majors this season. He is already third in team history in career majors while only playing one season with the team. His 277 PIM is the fifth highest single season total in team history.

Quote of the Week

"Everybody will have a role and some kids need to think about their future. If they want to play hockey they better play hard for 60 minutes. They may not like me, but then again, I don't care." Condors Interim Head Coach Marty Raymond, speaking about the team on the Condors Coach's Show after taking over for Paul Kelly last Thursday.

League Leaders (among all 31 teams)

Name Category Rank
Team 29.55 shots allowed/game 10th
Jon Mirasty 277 penalty minutes 2nd (1st among rookies)
27 major penalties 1st (1st among rookies)

Condors team leaders

Goals
Astrom 22
Ralph 22
Riehl 19

Assists
Riehl 36
Ianiero 24
Ralph 26
Willett 23

Points
Riehl 58
Ralph 48
Ianiero 43

PIM
Mirasty 277
Ralph 140
Rosebush 122

Plus/Minus
Astrom +10
Pelikovsky +11
Ianiero +8
Riehl +8

Coming Up
Tuesday, March 2 @ Alaska Aces, 8:00pm (PST)
Wednesday, March 3 @ Alaska Aces, 8:00pm (PST)
Sunday, March 7 vs. Long Beach Ice Dogs, 2:00pm

Last Week
February 24, EXPRESS 4 vs. Condors 3
February 27, FALCONS 2 vs. Condors 1
February 28, Wranglers 5 vs. CONDORS 2
February 29, CONDORS 2 vs. Stingrays 1

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics

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ECHL Stories from March 1, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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