ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Knock Off Falcons, Can't Tame Wranglers Despite Fourth Largest Crowd Of Season

March 26, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors hosted the fourth largest crowd of the season on Saturday night, 8,325 fans, and defeated the Fresno Falcons on Wednesday to go 1-1-0 on the week and take two more crucial points heading down the stretch to the playoffs.

Tomorrow's match-up in Las Vegas has huge playoff implications for both teams with the winner gaining a significant edge in playoff positioning. The Wranglers' win in Bakersfield Friday gave them a two- point lead in the Pacific Division and also evened the season series. Tomorrow's game is the last regular season match-up between the two National Conference heavy weights. The Pacific Division Champion will most likely take the No. 2 seed in the conference and clinch home-ice throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs. The second-place finisher in the division will most likely take home the No. 3 seed in the conference, with a guarantee of home-ice advantage in the first round.

If the Condors and Wranglers end up tied in points at the end of the regular season, here are the top two tie-breakers:

Overall wins (right now the Condors have one more win than the Wranglers)

Head-to-head points (each team has six head-to- head points, going into tomorrow's match-up)

The Condors are 40-15-10 on the season, including 21-9-2 at The Nest. The Condors return home to face the Phoenix RoadRunners on Wednesday. After a day of rest, the Condors head up north to battle the Falcons for the final time in the regular season on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and once again return to The Nest on Saturday to face-off against the Stockton Thunder. All home games start at 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Overall Record: 40-15-10 (90 points)

Pacific Division: 2nd

National Conference: 3rd

Last Week: 1-1-0

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC)

Tuesday, March 27 @ Las Vegas (7:05 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 28 vs. Phoenix (7 p.m.)

Friday, March 30 @ Fresno (7:30 p.m.)

Saturday, March 31 vs. Stockton (7 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Wednesday, March 21:

CONDORS 5 vs. Fresno 4 OT (Attendance: 4,302)

The Falcons took the early lead just 28 seconds into the game, but the Condors bounced back to score two goals of their own. Not to be out done, the Falcons followed up with two more goals of their own to take a 3-2 lead. After exchanging goals midway through the third period, Alex Kim scored the equalizer with just 33 seconds left in the game to tie it up and force overtime, where Brett Lutes scored the game-winner, his third of the night, and team-leading 30th of the season.

Friday, March 23:

CONDORS 3 vs. Las Vegas 6 (Attendance: 8,325)

The Condors and the Wranglers entered the game at 90 points each and the winner would take sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division. The Condors and Wranglers alternated the first four goals of the game, knotting the score at two apiece, but the Wranglers exploded for four consecutive goals to grab the win. Alex Kim, Andrew Ianiero, and Steve Rodberg all scored power-play goals for the Condors.

PLAYER NOTES:

Brett Lutes leads the team with 30 goals

Sean Venedam leads the team with 66 points (25g, 43a)

Kevin St. Jacques next assist will be the 700th of his pro career

Kevin Truelson's assist on Friday was the 100th of his echl/pro career

Sean Venedam was placed on the 3-day IR on March 25

Alex Rogosheske was activated off the 3-day IR on March 25

Scott Balan was transferred to the 30-day IR and is likely out for the season

Todd Griffith remains on the 30-day IR, eligible to come off April 12

Andrew Oke remains on the 30-day IR

TEAM NOTES:

The Condors are one win away from their 300th all- time

The Condors are 16-3-5 in their last 24 games

The Condors are two points away from clinching the number three seed in the National Conference

The Condors are one point away from clinching home ice in the first round of the Kelly Cup Playoffs

PROMOTIONAL NOTES:

Wednesday, March 28 is KUZZ 107.9 Blood Drive Night. All fans who donated blood to Houchin Blood Bank in the month of March are able to use their vouchers for $1 terrace admission to Wednesday's game. Wednesday is also College/High School ID Night in The Nest. All college and high school students receive lower bowl admission for $1.00 by presenting their student ID.

The Kern County Lions Club Eyeglass Collection will also be Wednesday night. Fans receive $1.00 terrace admission to Wednesday's game with the donation of a pair of gently used eyeglasses.

Join the Condors in The Nest this Saturday, March 31 when FOX 58, 98.5 The Fox and Three Way Chevrolet present the Blues Brothers Act. See Jake and Elwood Blues perform their song and dance routines from their hit movies in their final hockey performance ever! Plus, Charles Napier, the Winnebago driver from the Blues Brothers movie, will be here with the original Bluesmobile, the actual car used from the 1980 movie. The car will also be available for pictures with fans!

BROADCAST INFO:

You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens calling all the action. Most games are also available to view courtesy of B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch the Game Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available via their web site, www.bakersfieldcondors.com. For more information or to reserve ticket packages, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

LEAGUE LEADERS:

Bakersfield - 5,828 Average Attendance (4th)

Overall Attendance - 186,498 (3rd)

Overall Team Wins - 40 (T-2nd)

Overall Team Points - 90 (3rd)

Overall Team Winning Percentage - 69.2% (3rd)

Team Goals Scored - 249 (4th)

Team Overall Penalty Killing - 85.3% (6th)

Team Home Penalty Killing - 85.7% (8th)

Team Overall Power-Play - 16.9% (10th)

Josh Liebenow - 7 Game- winning goals (T-2nd)

Todd Griffith - 26 Rookie Goals (2nd)

Jamie Hodson - 28 Wins (5th)

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



ECHL Stories from March 26, 2007


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