ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Struggle Through First Two Weeks

October 27, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Last Week

Tuesday, October 21st

Bakersfield ended their scoring drought with a pair of third period goals, but it wasn't enough as the Condors lost in the desert, 4-2 against the Wranglers. Goaltender Peter Hirsch and the Condors fell behind 3-0, before Quinn Fair tallied early in the third to put Bakersfield on the board. Vegas answered just a couple minutes later, before Johan Astrom scored the Condors second goal of the period, and the season. Bakersfield outshot Las Vegas 37-25, but still suffered the loss in the Wranglers home opener.

Friday, October 24th

Bakersfield had to attempt another third period comeback on Friday night at home against San Diego. This time they delivered. Fair added his second goal in as many games to tie the score at 1-1 early in the final stanza. Two minutes later, Denis Ladouceur scored to give the Condors their first lead of the season. Joe Watkins did the rest in goal for Bakersfield, stopping all but one of the Gulls 25 shots on goal in the contest. It was the first win of the season for the Condors.

Saturday, October 25th

The Condors and Steelheads both notched first period tallies in this defensive battle on Saturday night, despite managing only seven combined first period shots. Idaho stifled the Bakersfield attack for the remainder of the game, holding the Condors to just 14 total shots. Chris Marinucci notched the game winner with just over seven minutes remaining, and Bakersfield slumped to 1-4 on the year, and 1-2 on the week.

This week

The Condors embark on a three game road swing this week when they head north to Boise for their next two matches. They will face the Idaho Steelheads on Tuesday and Wednesday, both slated for a 6:05pm start, Pacific Time. They go down to Long Beach on Saturday, November 1st to closeout the week.

After another game in Vegas on November 7th, the club returns home Saturday, November 8th against the Alaska Aces. That night, the team will wear special USA Veteran's Day Jerseys to be raffled off and auctioned to raise money for MDA. KUZZ 107.9 sponsors the jerseys.

The Condors Coaches Show can be heard on KGEO AM 1230 each and every Thursday, live from the Holiday Inn Select next to Centennial Garden from 6:00-7:00pm. This week's guests include RW Jason Ralph and LW Johan Astrom, as well as the regular visit from Head Coach Paul Kelly.

Individual seats are on sale now, and may be purchased through the Centennial Garden box office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Friday. 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

· Quinn Fair's goal on Tuesday night ended the Condors scoreless streak of 162:26 to start the season. Fair has already matched his total from last season, in which he appeared in 32 games.

· The Condors started the season 0-3 for the first time ever.

· The Bakersfield defense is allowing just 23.20 shots per game. Only Gwinnett and Alaska are averaging fewer shots against.

· Despite a 1.33 goals against average and a .944 save percentage, Joe Watkins dropped to 1-2 on the season.

· While only two teams have played more games than the Condors, only two teams have fewer penalty minutes than Bakersfield.

· The Condors rank in the top five in fewest shots allowed per game, penalty killing percentage and team goals against average.

Quote of the Week

"It's a good feeling to get the win, but we have to come back and do it tomorrow." – Condors G Joe Watkins, after stopping 24 shots for the team's first victory of the season, looking ahead to the next night's matchup against Idaho (a 2-1 loss).

League Leaders (among all 31 teams)

Name Category Rank

Team 23.20 shots/game 3rd

Team 91.3% penalty killing 5th

Team 2.20 goals against average 5th

Joe Watkins .944 save percentage 8th

Coming Up

Tuesday @ Idaho Steelheads, 6:05pm

Wednesday @ Idaho Steelheads, 6:05pm

Saturday @ Long Beach Ice Dogs, 7:00pm

Last Week

October 21 LAS VEGAS 4 vs. Condors 2

October 24 CONDORS 2 vs. San Diego 1

October 25 Idaho 2 @ CONDORS 1

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from October 27, 2003


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