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ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Comeback Comes Up Short vs. Aces

December 8, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Brett Lutes recorded a hat trick for the Bakersfield Condors, but it wasn't enough to topple the Alaska Aces, as Bakersfield lost, 5-4, in front of 5,254 at the Sullivan Arena in Anchorage Friday night.

The Condors (5-12-5, 15 points) took the lead less than two minutes into the game. Rookie Maxime Lincourt, signed this afternoon and playing his first shift in the pro ranks, set up Todd Griffith in the slot for a one-timer, and he tickled the twine for his fifth of the season. The Aces (12-8-1, 25 points) answered back with two in the period, from Cam Keith and Vladimir Novak, and took the 2-1 lead into the dressing room after 20 minutes.

Alaska extended the lead at 2:18 of the middle frame, with a goal by F.P. Guenette, jamming in a rebound from the doorstep. Brett Lutes rammed in his ninth of the season on the power play at 14:34 to pull the Condors within a goal. Newcomer Jesse Bennefield notched his first point as a Condor with an assist on the goal. In the final minute of the period the Aces regained the two-goal advantage when Bo Cheeseman fired a shot over the glove of G Yutaka Fukufuji to make it 4-2. The offenses were clicking on this night, combining for 50 shots through 40 minutes of play.

Bakersfield came out firing in the third period and erased the deficit with two early goals. Lutes had both of them, the second of which came on a power play (1:00 and 2:17, respectively) for his second hat trick of the season. The Aces continued to pressure however, and at 6:34 of the third regained the lead. Matt Robinson notched his fourth of the season to make it 5-4, and Fukufuji came up injured on the goal. Jaime Hodson replaced him and played the rest of the way, stopping all four shots he faced. The Condors outshot the Aces 11-5 in the period, but came up just short.

The Condors face off against the Aces on Saturday as well, an 8:15 p.m. (PT) start. They return home to host the Fresno Falcons on Wednesday, December 12 at 7 pm. That night is the ABC23 and R&D Leather Furniture Toy Drive Night - fans can bring a new, unwrapped toy to the game and get in for just $1. For ticket information contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825) or log on to www.bakersfieldcondors.com.

Notes: RW Jesse Bennefield and RW Maxime Lincourt both recorded their first points in their first games tonight as Condors... Both Yutaka Fukufuji and Jamie Hodson stopped penalty shots in the game between the pipes for Bakersfield... C Mike Hofstrand was placed on the 3-day IR this afternoon.

Upcoming: If you can't catch the game on KGEO AM1230 or B2 Networks, you can still stay up to date with the team by signing up for Condors text message score alerts, brought to you by the Condors and Bakersfield.com. Alerts will be sent to your phone with scoring updates at the end of each period and every game to keep you in the loop.

To sign up, just text the word "condors" to 47645, or click here. You can also sign up at www.bakersfieldcondors.com. The mobile alerts are free, though standard text messaging fees from your cell phone service provider may apply.

To view the full 2007-08 schedule, click here. For more information or to reserve season tickets, mini- plans and book group outings contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825) or check out www.bakersfieldcondors.com!

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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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