ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Power Play Awakens in 6-4 Victory at Phoenix

Published on December 16, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz., - Nate Metcalf's two goals and three power play goals spurred the Condors towards a 6-4 victory over the Phoenix Roadrunners in front of 5,622 at the America West Arena

The Condors opened scoring five minutes into the match-up when defenseman Nate Metcalf put a wrist shot from the center of the blue line past Phoenix netminder Mathieu Chouinard's right shoulder. Scott Borders and Mike Hofstrand assisted as Bakersfield took a 1-0 lead with 15:13 remaining in the first period.

Kevin St. Jacques would double the lead early in the second period as he wrapped the puck behind the net and ricoched it off the right skate of Chouinard to put the Condors up 2-0. Sean Venedam and Jason Norrie assisted on St. Jacques' ninth goal of the season.

Phoenix would answer back on a four-on-four midway through the game as Jake Riddle took a faceoff into the Condors zone and fed Dean Tiltgen at the top of the crease past Ryan Munce to cut the Condors lead in half at 2-1.

Bakersfield's lead disappeared just 68 seconds later when Jason Deskins rifled a slapshot from the right circle past Munce's left side. An assist was credited to Joe Dusbabek as the Roadrunners tied the game at 2-2 with 8:14 left in the second period.

The third period would bring a special teams exhibition, beginning just 1:39 into the frame, when Sean Venedam converted a rebound from a Scott Basiuk shot into his seventh power-play goal of the season. Kevin Truelson picked up an assist as the Condors took a 3-2 lead. Metcalf would return to the scoresheet and add to the Condor lead on a one- timer from Nick Economakos at 4:11 of the third to put Bakersfield back up by two.

The Condors would trade goals throughout the period, with the deciding goal coming on the power play as Joel Irving finished a wraparound attempt past new Roadrunner goaltender Mike Mole to make it 5-3 Bakersfield with 10:05 left in the game.

After ceding Dean Tiltgen's second goal of the evening to make it 5-4, Mike Hofstrand would poke an intercepted pass through the neutral zone and toward Mole. Hofstrand dropped the puck over the right pad of Mole, who kicked the puck on the recoil to give the Condors a 6-4 lead.

Ryan Munce improved to 7-0-3 on the season, stopping 32 Roadrunner shots on 36 attempts. Mike Mole was credited with the loss in relief of Mathieu Chouinard.

Other notes: Jordan Little was placed on the 30-day Injured Reserve yesterday prior to the trip to Phoenix. The Condors' six goals represented the highest single-game offensive output by the team this season. Seven of Sean Venedam's eight goals this season have been scored on the power play. Nate Metcalf's two goals was the fourth multi- goal performance by a Condor this year, and the first by a defenseman.

The Condors continue their three-game road trip as they head to San Diego to take on the Gulls tomorrow night at 7:05p.m. Following that game, the Condors return to Phoenix for a Sunday afternoon affair with the Roadrunners at 4:00pm.

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ECHL Stories from December 16, 2005


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