ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Go 2-1-1 in Busy Week

November 24, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Last Week

Wednesday, November 19

The Condors hosted Long Beach for a mid-week contest at Centennial Garden. They received goals from five different players and cruised to a 5-2 win over the Ice Dogs to even the season series at one win apiece. Joe Watkins was superb in net, stopping 27 shots in the game, including 14 in the second period, and was named the first star of the contest. Jason Ralph and Kevin Riehl each had a goal and an assist while Jimmy Drolet notched two helpers.

Friday, November 21

Bakersfield had two leads in this contest, including one with less than three minutes left in regulation, but couldn't hold on as San Diego won in overtime. Mark Pederson scored his third goal during the overtime session and added an assist in the 4-3 Gulls victory. Quinn Fair, Paul Rosebush and Andrew Ianiero all scored for Bakersfield.

Saturday, November 22nd

Four goals were scored in Saturday's match, each one coming on the power play. Jimmy Drolet, Johan Astrom and Jason Ralph all tallied while Peter Hirsch stopped 34 shots in being named the first star. Hirsch had sat out the last three games but returned to the lineup with a vengeance. For Drolet, the goal and his second period assist extended his point streak to a team-high five games.

Sunday, November 23rd

The Condors traveled down to Long Beach for their fourth game in five nights, and, already playing with just five defensemen, lost Jimmy Drolet to a shoulder injury in the first frame. The depleted defense put forth a strong effort, but the Condors couldn't overcome the Ice Dogs, losing 4-3. Paul Rosebush's second goal of the game early in the third tied the contest at 3-3, but just over three minutes later Long Beach notched the final tally of the game.

This week

On Saturday night, the Condors host the Alaska Aces at 7:00pm for the famous Teddy Bear Toss Night. Sponsored by KERN 1410, CBS29 and the Bakersfield Californian, the Teddy Bear Toss invites fans to bring a stuffed animal or teddy bear to the game, and when the Condors score their first goal of the game, throw them onto the ice. The United Way will collect the toys and distribute them throughout Kern County during the holiday season.

They travel down to San Diego on Sunday night to take on the Gulls at 5:00pm at the San Diego Sports Arena. All Condors games can be heard live on KGEO AM 1230, with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to game time. They can also be heard online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, with the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl handling the play-by-play.

With this Thursday being Thanksgiving, "The Condors Coach's Show" will be held on Wednesday night live from the Holiday Inn Select. It can be heard on KGEO AM 1230 with the "Voice of the Condors" Kevin Bartl and Head Coach Paul Kelly. This week's guests include rookie winger Devin Francon.

Individual seats are on sale now, and may be purchased through the Centennial Garden box office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday and noon on Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased by phone through Ticketmaster at 322-2525, online at www.ticketmaster.com or at any Ticketmaster location.

Notes from the Nest

· After starting 2-6-1, the Condors are now 5-2-1 in their last eight games.

· Bakersfield's power play, which entered the week dead last with just four goals, recorded eight tallies in 22 opportunities (36.3%) in the four games this week. Their league ranked jumped from last place (31st) to 24th in four games.

· Paul Rosebush's first goal on Sunday in Long Beach represented the first time all season the Condors had scored during the opening frame on the road all season.

· Saturday's start for G Joe Watkins was the first time all season either of the Condors goaltenders had started three consecutive matches.

· After only one point (a goal) in his first 12 games, Jason Jackman put up four points (0g-4a) between Saturday and Sunday's match.

Quote of the Week

"We can't score 5-on-5 but we're on fire on the power play and that's a good thing." Paul Kelly, in the Bakersfield Californian, after Saturday's game in which the Condors scored all three of their goals on the power play.

League Leaders (among all 31 teams)

Name Category Rank

Team 4,392 fans per game 8th

Team 2.65 goals against average 9th

Jon Mirasty 72 penalty minutes 3rd Rookies

Coming Up

Saturday, November 29 vs. Alaska

Sunday, November 30 @ San Diego

Last Week

November 19, CONDORS 5 vs. Long Beach 2

November 21, San Diego 4 vs. CONDORS 3, OT

November 22, CONDORS 3 vs. Fresno 1

November 23, LONG BEACH 4 vs. Condors 3

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 24, 2003


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