ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Front Liners Star in 4-1 Win over Phoenix

March 11, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif., - Brad Mehalko's rebound of a Kevin Truelson power-play one-timer would prove to be the eventual game-winner as the Bakersfield Condors defeated the Phoenix Roadrunners by a score of 4-1 in front of 6,873 fans at the Rabobank Arena.

The Condors initiated scoring by ending a seven- game power play drought. After receiving a feed from Kevin St. Jacques, Mathieu Brunelle tapped a pass from the far corner to the top of the slot for Brian Collins. The Condor forward waited for the traffic in front of the Phoenix net to clear before threading a wrist shot under the left pad of goaltender Mike Mole to give Bakersfield a 1-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first period.

Joe Dusbabek of Phoenix tied the game on a Roadrunners five-on-three power play. After Brad Woods and Jake Riddle has passed the puck deep along the Condors goal line, Dusbabek wristed a free puck from the slot and under Ryan Munce's left pad to make it 1-1 early in the second period.

With 1:46 left until the second intermission, Mathieu Brunelle started a one-timer by pushing the puck from the base of the far circle to Kevin Truelson at the far point. Truelson's slap shot went wide of the net, but angled off the back boards and outside the near post, where Brad Mehalko deked a backhander past Mole's left pad. The Condors took their 2-1 lead into the second period.

Dave Bonk made it 3-1 in the third period as he collaborated on an odd-man rush with Mehalko. Bonk took a backhand pass from Mehalko at the near circle and shot it past Mole's left side.

The Condors added a goal by Kevin St. Jacques with 8:12 remaining in the game. Dave Bonk assisted as Bakersfield extended their lead to three and the final score of 4-1.

Bakersfield can clinch a spot in the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a win tomorrow night over the Stockton Thunder at the Rabobank Arena.

Ryan Munce earned the victory with 34 saves on 35 Phoenix shots. Mike Mole was credited with the loss despite making 36 saves on 40 Condors attempts.

Other notes: The Condors signed all- time franchise games played leader Paul Rosebush just prior to the game. Rosebush is scheduled to play tomorrow night's contest versus Stockton for his fifth appearance this season, making him eligible to participate in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Bakersfield's power play unit snapped a six-game scoreless streak, going 2-for-5 on the man advantage. Dave Bonk scored his first goal since Febraury 3rd against San Diego. The top line of St. Jacques-Mehalko-Bonk combined for three goals and six points.

For the record: The Condors improved to 29-21-5 on the season for 63 points and move within five points of 2nd place Long Beach. The Ice Dogs fell 5-4 to the Stockton Thunder in a shootout and dropped to 30-19-8.

Tomorrow night, March 11th, Bakersfield hosts the Stockton Thunder as the Oakland Raiderettes come to town courtesy of 98.5 the Fox and Work Force Staffing.

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ECHL Stories from March 11, 2006


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