ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Fall in Overtime in Game Four

April 17, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif., - Christian Larrivee's goal at 12:57 of the first overtime handed the Bakersfield Condors a 5-4 loss to the Long Beach Ice Dogs in front of 884 fans at the Long Beach Arena. The best-of-seven series is tied at 2 game apiece

Long Beach scored the game's opening tally when Cory Urquhart wound up from the near circle and fired a slap shot past Bakersfield goaltender Ryan Munce. Derick Martin and Michael Lambert assisted on the power play goal as the Ice Dogs took the early 1-0 lead.

With just three seconds remaining in the first period, Kevin Truelson led the rush out of the Condors zone along the right wing. As the seconds ticked down, Truelson fed Dave Bonk at the bottom of the slot for a one-timer. Bonk's shot sped through the five-hole of Long Beach goaltender Jaroslav Halak and into the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1 heading into the second period.

Bakersfield took their first lead when Shaun Fisher connected with Brad Mehalko on a pass in the Long Beach zone. Mehalko faked a slapshot in the near circle, then burst behind the net and wrapped the puck inside the far post to put the Condors up 2-1 at 7:52 of the second period.

The Ice Dogs tied the game five minutes later on the power play when Sean McAslan deflected a Justin Aikins shot from the center of the blue line. McAslan's deflection popped over the head of Munce and rolled down his back across the goal line to knot the score at 2-2.

With 1:16 remaining until the second intermission, Michael Lambert threw the puck under the glove of Munce from the far circle to return the lead to Long Beach. Christian Larrivee assisted as the Ice Dogs led 3-2 through two periods.

Jason Beeman extended the Long Beach lead to 4-2 with an athletic effort, deking past Steve Howard and Shaun Fisher and sending an off-balance shot past Munce just 30 seconds into the third period. Following the goal, Marty Magers replaced Munce in goal for the Condors.

42 seconds later, Alexandre Bolduc stamped his return with the Condors with a wrist shot off a pass from Sean Venedam. Kevin St. Jacques assisted as Bakersfield cut the Long Beach lead back to one at 4-3.

With 6:57 remaining in regulation, St Jacques collected a quick pass from Bolduc and fired a shot on net. The puck sailed past Halak on the left side to tie the game at 4-4 entering the final moments of the third period.

Oriel McHugh threw a wrist shot past Halak, but it clanged the left post and bounced out to the left wing boards with just over three minutes remaining in regulation as the teams headed to overtime.

At the 12:57 mark, Mike Vellinga led the puck into the Condor defensive zone for Christian Larrivee, who snuck a wrist shot under the left pad of Magers to give Long Beach the 5-4 victory.

Jaroslav Halak earned the victory with 31 saves on 35 shots faced. Marty Magers was credited with the loss despite stopping 11 saves on 12 shots faced. Ryan Munce stopped 19 of 23 Long Beach shots.

Other notes: The Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League assigned Bolduc to the Condors prior to tonight's game.

Game Five takes place Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00pm at the Long Beach Arena. Game Six will be held in Bakersfield on Friday, April 21st at 7:00pm with Game Seven in Bakersfield scheduled for Saturday, April 22nd if necessary.

Playoff ticket packages are now available including the Condors Playoff Family Pack, which includes: 1 game ticket, 1 hot dog, 1 soda and 1 Nightly Note for all first-round playoff games starting for as low as $36 Also, fans may purchase tickets for all prospective playoff games in advance. For more information, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

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ECHL Stories from April 17, 2006


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