Condors back from Idaho, host Stockton and Ontario this weekend
December 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors made their first trip to Boise this season for a three-game series against the Steelheads last week. G Yutaka Fukufuji led the Condors to a 3-1 victory in Friday night's match-up with a 45 save performance, as Bakersfield went 1-2-0 in Idaho.
The Condors are 9-14-4 on the season, and in 4th place in the Pacific Division with 22 points. Bakersfield is just two points behind the Las Vegas Wranglers and Stockton Thunder for 2nd place in the division.
THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Friday, Dec. 26 vs. Stockton (7 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 28 vs. Ontario (6 p.m.)
WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Wednesday, Dec. 17
IDAHO 4 vs. Condors 3
After both teams exploded for three goals apiece in the first period, the Steelheads netted the eventual game-winner 56 seconds into the middle stanza, coming away with a 4-3 win on Wednesday. F Andrew Ianiero (left) scored the Condors first two goals and RW Chad Painchaud notched the third. G Ryan Nie stopped 23 of 27 shots in the game for Bakersfield.
Friday, Dec. 19
Condors 3 vs. IDAHO 1
G Yutaka Fukufuji (right) stopped 45 of 46 shots to lead the Condors to a 3-1 victory against the Steelheads in the second of three straight games between the two teams. After a scoreless first frame, RW Chad Painchaud found the back of the net on a shorthanded breakaway early in the second and was promptly followed by rookie F Nick Pernula's first ECHL goal just 1:59 later. Fukufuji continued to blank the Steelheads with 18 saves in the middle frame alone and Bakersfield held a 2-0 lead through two. Idaho got on the board 8:44 into the third, but F Matt Pope sealed the win with a power play goal in the final minute of action.
Saturday, Dec. 20
IDAHO 5 vs. Condors 2
The Steelheads jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period en route to a 5-2 win in the rubber match of the three-game series Saturday night. After Idaho's third goal, G Ryan Nie took over in net and kept the Steelheads from building on their lead in the second period. F Matt Pope (left) tallied midway through the second and F Andrew Ianiero lit the lamp early in the third to pull the Condors within striking range at 3-2, but Idaho responded with a pair of goals in the final frame to pad their lead and account for the 5-2 final.
SATURDAY'S GAME RESCHEDULED TO SUNDAY AT 6 P.M.
The game originally scheduled for this Saturday, Dec. 27 against the Fresno Falcons has been rescheduled to this Sunday, Dec. 28 at 6 p.m. and will be played against the Ontario Reign. Sunday's game will feature the Yutaka Fukufuji Backpack Giveaway (see below for full promo details).
Tickets for the game originally scheduled for Saturday ARE GOOD for Sunday's game against the Reign. Doors open at 5 p.m., puck drops at 6 p.m.
If you have any questions regarding the change, call the Front Office at (661) 324-PUCK (7825).
The Rabobank Arena Box Office will be open Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and will also open on Sunday at noon. Check below for a full schedule of holiday hours.
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
The Condors are 2nd in the league in average attendance at 6,338 fans per game.
F Andrew Ianiero has a five-game point streak, during which he has 5g-3a. His goal Saturday night tied Brett Lutes for fourth most in team history (74).
RW Chad Painchaud (right) is currently on a three-game point streak with 2g-2a during the stretch.
F Matt Pope leads the team and is tied for 2nd among ECHL rookies with 15 goals this season. He has goals in each of his last two games.
F Nick Pernula recorded his first ECHL goal on Friday night. The rookie began the season in the SPHL and joined the Condors earlier this month.
D Scotty Balan recorded his 50th point as a Condor on Friday.
G Yutaka Fukufuji tied a Condors season high with 45 saves Friday night and picked up his first win of the season. On Saturday he played in his 6,000th minute in the ECHL, including stints with Bakersfield, as well as the Cincinnati Cyclones (2002-03) and Reading Royals (2005-07). He needs just four appearances this season to reach the century mark in Condors games.
Condors approaching milestones: Ianiero needs four games for 284 in his Condors career to pass Glen Mears for third on the Condors all-time games list; Fukufuji needs four games for 100 in his Condors career; D Kevin Truelson (right) needs two games for 200 in his Condors career; D Ryan Mahrle needs five games for 100 in his ECHL career.
C Brett Pilkington was placed on the 7-IR on Thursday and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 25. RW Liam Huculak remains on the 3-IR, though he is eligible to be activated. C Dave Bonk remains on the 30-IR and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 23, while LW Bobby Bolt remains on the 30-IR and is eligible to be activated on Dec. 30.
CONDORS AT HOME THIS WEEKEND FOR LAKER GIRLS AND BACKPACK GIVEAWAY:
On Friday, Dec. 26, the Condors take on Stockton in front of the LA Laker Girls, presented by ABC 23, ESPN Radio 1230 and Rio Bravo Country Club, who will be performing at the game and will be available to sign autographs and take pictures at the Condors Photo Booth. All fans in attendance will also receive a Condors Player Progression poster, featuring players that have moved up to the AHL or NHL levels. Additionally, help celebrate Canadian Boxing Day - box up your items and bring them to the game to donate to Goodwill Industries. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.
On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Condors will host Ontario for the Yutaka Fukufuji Backpack Giveaway, sponsored by KBAK-29 Eyewitness News, HOT 94.1 and Diamond Technologies. The first 2,000 kids, 12-and-under, receive a Fukufuji Jersey Backpack, just in time to show off at school after the winter break! All Season Ticket Holders are also invited to take the ice for a free skate with the team immediately following Sunday's game. Limited skate rentals will be available for $5. Doors open at 5 p.m., puck drops at 6 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 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).
The Condors Front Office will maintain normal business hours of Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. throughout the holiday season, except for the following days:
Wed, Dec. 24 - 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Thu, Dec. 25 - CLOSED
Fri, Dec. 26 - Open at 10 a.m., home game at 7 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 28 - Open at noon, home game at 6 p.m.
Wed, Dec. 31 - CLOSED
Thu, Jan. 1 - CLOSED
Fri, Jan. 2 - CLOSED
The Condors Team Store will maintain normal business hours of Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 3 p.m., except for the following days:
Wed, Dec. 24 - CLOSED Thu, Jan. 1 - CLOSED
Thu, Dec. 25 - CLOSED Fri, Jan. 2 - CLOSED
Tue, Dec. 30 - CLOSED Sat, Jan. 3 - CLOSED
Wed, Dec. 31 - CLOSED
The Rabobank Arena Box Office will be open as usual, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for the following days:
Wed, Dec. 24 - CLOSED
Thu, Dec. 25 - CLOSED
Fri, Dec. 26 - Open at 10 a.m., home game at 7 p.m.
Sat, Dec. 27 - 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 28 - Open at noon, home game at 6 p.m.
Wed, Dec. 31 - CLOSED
Thu, Jan. 1 - CLOSED
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Average Attendance - 6,338 (2nd)
F Matt Pope - 15 goals (2nd rookies)
F Matt Pope - 25 points (t-6th rookies)
F Matt Pope - 6 power play goals (t-2nd rookies)
Condors Power Play - 18.2% (t-7th)
CONDORS LEADERS:
Points- F Matt Pope (25)
Goals- F Matt Pope (15)
Assists- RW Chad Painchaud (17)
PIM- RW Liam Huculak (69)
Plus/Minus- C Dave Bonk, D Martin Frechette, F Matt Pope (Even)
GAA- G Yutaka Fukufuji (3.09)
Save Percentage- G Yutaka Fukufuji (.914)
ECHL Stories from December 23, 2008
- LA Laker Girls at The Nest Friday and Fukufuji Backpack Giveaway on Sunday for a "Reign Delay" - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL This Week - ECHL
- Salmon Kings Ford Named Goaltender Of The Week - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Stanley Cup Visits Bombers Games This Weekend - Dayton Bombers
- Ontario Will Play At Bakersfield Sunday - ECHL
- Victoria's Ford Named Reebok ECHL Goaltender Of The Week - ECHL
- Condors back from Idaho, host Stockton and Ontario this weekend - Bakersfield Condors
- Colonel Claw'd to visit the children at the Jamison Center before the holidays - Bakersfield Condors
- Thunder Return After Holidays to Face Bakersfield, Victoria - Stockton Thunder
- Wheeling Nailers Announce Special New Years Eve Package - Wheeling Nailers
- Stay Connected To The Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- Utah Head Coach Colley Suspended One Game - ECHL
- Checkers Agree to Terms with Brad Ralph - Charlotte Checkers
- Bombers Weekly - Dayton Bombers
- Finish Your Holiday Shopping with the Aces - Alaska Aces
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