ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors strike first in Game One

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


Brunelle gets the game-winner in 3-1 victory over Long Beach

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., - Mathieu Brunelle's second period goal would prove to be the game winner as the Bakersfield Condors captured Game One of their best-of-seven Kelly Cup Pacific Division Semifinal series over the Long Beach Ice Dogs by a score of 3- 1 in front of 4,437 fans at the Rabobank Arena

The Ice Dogs scored the opening goal of the series when Sean McAslan threw a wrist shot from the top of the Bakersfield slot. The puck glided through the five-hole of goaltender Ryan Munce to give Long Beach a 1-0 lead with 5:34 left in the first period.

The Condors tied the game on a second period power play after Sean Venedam threw a shot from the near corner onto the blocker of Ice Dogs netminder Greg Hewitt. The rebound bounced to Mike Hofstrand, who snuck the dish inside the near post to knot the game at 1-1.

With just 1:04 left until the second intermission, Kevin Kotyluk led a two-line pass to Mathieu Brunelle on the right wing. Brunelle broke past his defender and drove a backhand shot through Hewitt's five- hole to give Bakersfield the 2-1 lead.

Steve Howard doubled the Condors lead with a wrist shot from the left wing point. Howard's attempt found daylight under Hewitt to put Bakersfield up 3-1 2:57 into the third period.

Ryan Munce earned the victory with 23 saves on 24 Long Beach shots. Greg Hewitt was credited with the loss despite 23 saves on 26 attempts faced.

Other notes: The Condors have won nine straight home games, stretching back to March 14th. Bakersfield improves to 3-0 all-time in ECHL Kelly Cup Playoff home games.

Bakersfield takes a 1-0 advantage in the best-of- seven series with the Ice Dogs. Game Two takes place on Friday, April 14th at 7pm before the series heads to Long Beach on Saturday, April 15th. On Friday, the first 2,000 fans in attendance will receive a Condors Blackout Rally Towel courtesy of KGET-TV 17 and The New AT&T. Plus, join OBI-Won Kenobi, C3PO and the rest of the Galactic Empire as characters from Star Wars land in Condorstown for Game Two.

Playoff ticket packages are available. For more information, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 11, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central