ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Stumble In San Diego

January 26, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Last Week

Friday, January 23

The Condors headed to Fresno to start their three-game roadtrip weekend against the Falcons on Friday. After a scoreless first period, the Condors took a 1-0 lead early in the second on a goal by Johan Astrom, who had scored in three of the last four games. After the Falcons tied the game a few minutes later, Kevin Riehl sent a blast home for his 13th of the season, on the power play, to push the Condors back in front. Fresno tied the game again, late in the third, to force overtime, and eventually a shootout. Mike Barrie, Paul Willett and Darren Shakotko scored in the shootout, while Shane Bendera, who stopped 30 shots in regulation, turned aside three of four Falcons shooters for their first shootout win since February 7th, 2003.

Saturday, January 24

San Diego scored three times on four power play opportunities and opened up a 4-0 lead on the Condors the next night at the Sports Arena. Paul Willett connected on the power play with just over eight minutes remaining in the third frame to snap G Trevor Koenig's shutout bid. Sylvain Deschatelets scored once and added three assists as the Gulls cruised to the 4-1 win.

Sunday, January 25

The Condors played better on Sunday, but suffered nearly the same defeat, 3-1 to San Diego. Jani Virtanen's power play goal with 57 seconds remaining in the second period put the Condors on the board and tied the game at 1-1. Sylvain Deschatelets struck again, however, before the period ended to regain the lead for San Diego heading into the third. The Gulls held onto the lead through the third period, and added another when Billy Tibbetts scored on a breakaway with just 49 seconds left on the clock. Shane Bendera stopped San Diego's Mark Pederson on a penalty shot late in the first period.

Where We're At

The Condors are 12-21-6 on the season, with 33 games left to play. They sit in 5th place in the Pacific Division, 21 points behind fourth-place Alaska.

This week

The Condors host the Fresno Falcons on Tuesday, December 27th at 7:00pm. That night is WB-12, KISS 96.5 and Golden Empire Transit Student ID Night. Also on that night, the Condors host their annual Project Warm Families Coat Drive, sponsored by KGET-TV 17, KRAB Radio and The Gas Company. Anyone bringing a new or gently used coat to donate to the United Way will receive a complimentary terrace level ticket.

They go back on the road this weekend, revisiting Fresno on Friday and San Diego on Saturday. Both games start at 7:00pm.

All games, home and away, can be heard live on KGEO AM 1230, with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to faceoff. The Voice of the Condors, Kevin Bartl handles the play-by-play.

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

Notes from the Nest

· C Kevin Riehl's 10-game point streak ended on Sunday in San Diego. He recorded 8g-6a-14pts during the stretch, which was a season-high for the Condors

· D Quinn Fair also saw an end to his four-game point streak on Sunday. He notched six assists in the four games and is the Condors leading scorer among defensemen with 4g-13a-17pts on the season

· The Condors power play, while still mired near the bottom of the league at less than 11 percent, has scored in the last five games, and six of the last seven. It has one goal in each instance, 17.8% during the five game stretch

· Condors rookie winger Jon "Nasty" Mirasty is currently ranked second in the league in penalty minutes for a rookie. He leads the Condors with 159

· February is a busy month for Bakersfield. The Condors play 16 games in the span of 27 days during February, including a six-game road trip to the East, covering three cities in eight nights

· Including Tuesday, the Condors and Falcons will meet four times during the next 12 days.

League Leaders (among all 31 teams)
Name Category Rank
Team 4,506 fans per game 9th
Team 28.03 shots allowed/game 5th
Jon Mirasty 161 penalty minutes 2nd among rookies
13 major penalties t-3rd among rookies

Condors team leaders

Goals
Astrom 17
Ralph 13
Riehl 13

Assists
Riehl 24
Ianiero 19
Ralph 14

Points
Riehl 37
Ianiero 28
Astrom 28

PIM
Mirasty 161
Rosebush 104
Ralph 101

Plus/Minus
Astrom +13
Riehl +10
Ianiero +8

Coming Up
Tuesday, January 27 vs. Fresno Falcons, 7:00pm
Friday, January 30 @ Fresno Falcons, 7:00pm
Saturday, January 31 @ San Diego Gulls, 7:05pm

Last Week
January 23 Condors 3 @ FRESNO 2, SO
January 24 SAN DIEGO 4 vs. Condors 1
January 25 SAN DIEGO 3 vs. Condors 1

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 26, 2004


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