ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Fall to Long Beach in Game Two

April 15, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif., - Josh Liebenow brought the Bakersfield Condors to within a goal with just 55 seconds remaining in regulation, but Michael Lambert's third-period insurance goal proved to be the game-winner in the Condors' 5-4 loss to the Long Beach Ice Dogs in Game Two of the Pacific Division Semifinals. The series is now tied at one game apiece.

Bakersfield notched the game's opening goal when Mathieu Brunelle created an early odd-man rush. Brunelle connected through the slot with Dave Bonk, who threw a wrist shot high and past the glove of Long Beach netminder Olivier Michaud. Bonk's goal gave the Condors a 1-0 lead just 2:22 into the game.

The Ice Dogs then jumped out for four unanswered goals through the remainder of the first period. Ash Goldie began the scoring for Long Beach with a power play goal from Sean McAslan and Christian Larrivee at the 6:04 mark. Mike Vellinga followed just 1:15 later with a wrist shot past the glove side of Bakersfield netminder Ryan Munce to make it 2-1 Long Beach. Cory Urquhart one-timed a shot past Munce off passes from Dave Cousineau and Justin Aikins on the power play to give the Ice Dogs a 3-1 lead. Long Beach rounded out the period with Mac Faulkner's goal, a wrister off the rebound of his own slap shot, with a minute remaining until the second intermission.

Bonk brought Bakersfield within two after evading two defenders in the neutral zone and outracing his backchecker. Bonk followed in and forehanded a shot past Michaud's left side for his second goal of the night.

Later in the period, Brunelle fired a wrist shot from the far point and found the back of the net to cut the Bakersfield deficit to one. Bonk assisted for his third point of the night to cut the Ice Dogs lead to 4-3 entering the third period.

Midway through the third, Michael Lambert threw a shot on net from the left wing circle and past Munce to put the Ice Dogs back on top 5-3.

The Condors pulled Munce for the extra skater and Josh Liebenow batted the rebound of Oriel McHugh's shot past Michaud to make it a one goal game with 55 seconds remaining. The extra skater remained on the ice but Long Beach held off the late attack to even the best-of-seven series at one goal apiece.

Olivier Michaud earned the victory with 31 saves on 35 shots faced. Ryan Munce was credited with the loss despite making 21 stops on 26 Condor attempts.

Other notes: Mathieu Brunelle has scored a goal in three straight playoff games dating back to last year's Game 5 versus Alaska. Kevin St. Jacques played in his 100th professional playoff game. The loss was the Condors first-ever at home in ECHL Kelly Cup playoff action.

Long Beach ties the series at 1-1 and guarantees a Game Five. Game Three takes place tomorrow night at the Long Beach Arena at 7:00pm. Game Four will be Sunday at 5:00pm in Long Beach with Game 5 to follow on Wednesday, April 19th, at 7:00pm.

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 15, 2006


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