ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Can Salmon Kings 4-2 to Take Sole Possession of First Place in Pacific Division

January 23, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. - The Bakersfield Condors moved into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division as they knocked off the Victoria Salmon Kings, 4-2, Monday night, in front of 3,426 at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Their 50 points pushes them two ahead of the Fresno Falcons, who they match-up with on Wednesday at The Nest to start a four-game home stand.

Bakersfield (23-11-4, 50 points) scored on their first shot of the game at 3:51 of the first. Kevin St. Jacques stole a pass in center ice, cut in on the right side, and put the puck over the glove of Bryan Bridges to give the Condors the 1-0 lead.

Victoria (14-26-1, 29 points) had a chance with a five-on-three advantage bridging the first and second periods, but Jamie Hodson and the Condors defense kept the Salmon Kings at bay.

Shortly thereafter, the Condors went to the power-play, and St. Jacques tallied again to make it 2-0 at 8:24. Steve Rodberg and Brett Lutes assisted on the play, extending their points streaks to eight and nine games, respectively.

Midway through the period, the goals came fast and furious. At 8:24, it was Marc-Andre Bernier scoring for the third consecutive game to cut the gap to 2- 1.

At 12:10, Sean Venedam won an offensive zone face-off, and Kevin Truelson's blast from the point beat Bridges to make it 3-1.

Victoria sliced into the lead again when Jordan Krestanovich scored on the power-play to make it 3-2.

But Bakersfield responded again as Josh Liebenow netted his 15th of the year off a great feed from Truelson to restore the two-goal bulge at 4-2.

At 9:40 of the third, Milan Gajic was awarded a penalty shot when one of the Condors skaters covered the puck with his glove in the crease. But Hodson stopped the attempt, and that was the last gasp for the Salmon Kings.

Notes: St. Jacques has 41 points (12g, 29a) in his last 23 games. Hodson is now 6-0-1 in his last seven games. Tyler Liebel's assist on Saturday night gave him 100 points in his three-year professional career.

The Condors return home to face the Fresno Falcons on Wednesday, January 24th at The Nest as CW Bakersfield and the Big 96.5 KBKO present High School/College ID Night, where all high school and college students can get a ticket for just a buck by presenting their ID at the box office.

On Friday, Jan. 26th, KGET-TV 17 and University of Phoenix present the ZOOperstars live! See 10- foot tall mascot characters like Snail Earnhardt, Jr., Nomar Garciaparrot, Mia Hamster, LeBronco James, Mackerel Jordan, Peyton Manatee, and Monkey Mantle entertain children of all ages.

Saturday, Jan. 27th, FOX 58 and Bud Light present Super Bowl Jersey Raffle and Auction. Game- worn jerseys recognizing Bakersfield's Pigskin tradition and the Super Bowl will be auctioned off after the game, plus everyone in attendance has a chance to win one of five to be given away! All proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to the Petroleum Shrine Club.

It will also be a Condors Kids Club day on Saturday. All Condors Kids Club members receive free admission to the game, courtesy of Bright House Networks, Bakersfield Californian, & Wells Fargo Bank.

Saturday is also a T.H.I.N.K. Night presented by Mercy and Memorial Hospitals and ARRC Technology. The Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge program allows students to earn terrace admission to Saturday night's game through exceptional performance.

Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 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 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.

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ECHL Stories from January 23, 2007


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