Condors clinch Kelly Clup playoff spot
Published on March 15, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif., - Kevin St. Jacques scored his 20th goal of the season and Ryan Munce stopped all 32 shots faced as the Bakersfield Condors shut out the Long Beach Ice Dogs 2-0 and clinched a spot in the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
The Condors opened the game by outshooting Long Beach 17-6 in the first period. Bakersfield had three power play chances in the opening frame but did not convert, taking a scoreless tie into the second period.
Brad Mehalko hammered a slap shot wide of the Long Beach net as Kevin Kotyluk came in deep off the right wing. Kotyluk picked up the rebound off the back boards, faked a wrist shot off the far post and dished the puck to a trailing Kevin St. Jacques who finished the play past goaltender Olivier Michaud. St. Jacques' 20th goal of the season gave the Condors a 1-0 lead, which carried into the third period.
Bakersfield held off the Long Beach attack throughout the third period and forced the Ice Dogs to pull Michaud for the extra skater. With 13.9 seconds left, Dave Bonk picked up the puck at the left wing and dumped it into the empty net to seal the Condors 2-0 victory.
Before the conclusion of the game, Bakersfield's Nello Ferrara and David Walker of Long Beach engaged in a furious and lengthy brawl. After both participants connected on their share of hooks and uppercuts, Ferrara snuck underneath Walker's torso and lifted him onto the ice before returning Walker to the surface on his back.
Ryan Munce earned his second shutout of the season, stopping all 32 shots faced. Olivier Michaud was credited with the loss despite making 23 saves on Condor shots.
Other notes: Kevin St. Jacques' goal was his 50th point of the season, marking the 12th year of his 14-year career in which he has scored 50 or more points. Prior to the game, the Condors signed forward Jack Baker.
For the record: Bakersfield is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs for the second consecutive as they improve to 30-23-5 (65 points). They make up two points on Long Beach with the win and move to within seven points of second place in the Pacific Division.
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