ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors gain point against reigning Kelly Cup Champion Steelheads

Published on January 7, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors played three games in three days last weekend, including two against the reigning Kelly Cup Champion Idaho Steelheads at The Nest. They came up with a shootout loss on Friday and suffered a narrow 2-1 setback on Saturday.

The Condors are 8-19-6 on the season and are in 4th place in the Pacific Division. Bakersfield trails the third place Stockton Thunder by eight points in the Pacific Division, and is also eight points behind the Phoenix RoadRunners in the National Conference playoff race. The Condors and RoadRunners will face off twice this week on Tuesday and Saturday.

Overall Record: 8-19-6 (22 points)

Pacific Division: 4th

National Conference: 9th

Last Week: 0-2-1

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC)

Tuesday, Jan. 8 vs. Phoenix (7 p.m.)

Saturday, Jan. 12 vs. Phoenix (7 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):

Friday, Jan. 4

Idaho 2 vs. CONDORS 1 SO

Attn: 5,355

Idaho LW Bill Kinkel and Condors D/F Steven Later got their respective teams on the board in the first period by scoring goals within 1:23 of each other. After the early scoring, strong goaltending performances by Bakersfield G Yutaka Fukufuji and Idaho G Kellen Briggs kept the puck out of both nets until the shootout. The Condors out-shot the Steelheads 45-30 in regulation and overtime, but fell in the shootout. Fukufuji finished the game with 29 saves on 30 shots.

Saturday, Jan. 5

Idaho 2 vs. CONDORS 1

Attn: 4,713

The Condors took a first-period lead with a power-play goal from LW Mark Derlago at 11:06 in the opening frame. However, Idaho tied the game at 1-1 in the second with a F Taggert Desmet tally, and took the lead in the third when D Blake Forsyth potted the go ahead goal. Down 2-1 late in the game, Bakersfield put a flurry of shots on goal, hitting the post multiple times, but could not notch the game- tying goal despite out-shooting the Steelheads for the second consecutive match. Fukufuji played well again, turning aside 30 of the 32 shots he faced.

Sunday, Jan. 6

STOCKTON 5 vs. Condors 2

Bakersfield D/F Steven Later and F Sean Venedam scored goals for the Condors in the second and third, respectively, but it was not enough to catch up to the Thunder after they took an early lead in the first period. G Michel Robinson made his Condors debut, stopping 35 of 39 shots. For the third straight game, the Condors out-shot their opponent, putting 45 shots on goal, 22 of which came in the final frame alone.

PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

G Yutaka Fukufuji has a 2.38 GAA and .926 save percentage since Dec. 22. He has gone 1-3-1 during that stretch, and has not allowed more than two goals in any of his last three starts.

Ten of the Condors 19 losses in regulation this year have been by one goal. Bakersfield has also dropped six games in overtime and shootouts.

G Michel Robinson, who signed with the team on Saturday, made his Condors debut Sunday in Stockton. He stopped 35 of 39 shots in the loss.

D Scott Balan played his 150th game in a Condors jersey on Saturday and is 10th on the Condors all- time games played list.

LW Evan Kotsopoulos played his 100th career pro game Sunday evening.

The Condors claimed RW Jason Kostadine off waivers Saturday. Kostadine started the season with the Augusta Lynx, racking up 3 points (1g, 2a) and 64 PIM in 32 games.

F Eric Sonnenberg was placed on the 3-day IR on Saturday, and will be eligible to be activated on Jan. 8.

D Jay Langager was transferred from the 3-day IR to the 7-day IR on Saturday, and will be eligible to be activated on Jan. 9.

C Mike Hofstrand remains on the 30-day IR, and will be eligible to be activated on Jan. 25.

G Jeff Pietrasiak was released on Saturday.

PROMOTIONAL NOTES:

The Condors host the Phoenix RoadRunners for a pair of games this week, starting Tuesday night with Elvis Presley's birthday bash at The Nest. Fans that dress up like Elvis will receive $1.00 admission, and be invited to take part in an Elvis impersonators contest. It will also be the CW Bakersfield & 106.1 KRAB Radio High School/College ID Night at The Nest, where all college and high school students receive admission for $1.00 by presenting their student ID at the Rabobank Arena box office. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

In addition, Tuesday will be a Mercy & Memorial Hospitals and ARRC Technology T.H.I.N.K. night at the arena. The Turn Hockey Into New Knowledge program allows students to earn tickets to select Condors games through exceptional performance in the classroom.

The Condors will take on the RoadRunners again on Saturday night for the Telemundo-11, HOT 94.1 & Goodwill Industries Backpack Giveaway at The Nest. The first 2,000 children, 12 & under, will receive a Condors backpack. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO

Saturday's game will be televised live on Bright House Networks Channel 21, and will be re-aired on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. Each televised game this season will be available to digital cable subscribers via Bakersfield On Demand (channel 300) beginning the Tuesday after the original air date.

You can catch all Condors games live on the All- New KGEO AM1230 with the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl. All games are also available to watch online through B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch and Listen Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available at no cost via the website, www.bakersfieldcondors.com. For more information or to reserve ticket packages, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

LEAGUE LEADERS:

Average Attendance - 5,899 (2nd)

Shorthanded Goals - 9 (t-1st)

Penalty Minutes - 939 (1st)

C Tim Konsorada - 18 goals (7th)

Konsorada - 3 SHG (t-1st)

D Kevin Truelson - 22 points (6th Defensemen)

Truelson - 7 goals (t-2nd Defensemen)

D Joe Dustin - 21 points (t-7th Defensemen)

D David Kudelka - 88 PIM (3rd Defensemen)

CONDORS LEADERS

Points- C Tim Konsorada (30)

Goals- Konsorada (18)

Assists- D Joe Dustin and LW Brett Lutes (16)

PIMs- D David Kudelka (88)

Wins- G Yutaka Fukufuji (7)

GAA- Fukufuji (3.44)

Save Percentage- G Michel Robinson (.897)

Individual game tickets are now on sale and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days.

Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322- 2525, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location.

Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 7, 2008


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