ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors throttle Ontario 6-2

December 29, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors scored twice in each period and Ryan Nie made 34 saves in a 6-2 pounding of the Ontario Reign before 4,994 fans at Rabobank Arena Sunday night.

The Reign (18-10-2, 38pts), opened the scoring just under four minutes into the game, with C Jon Francisco netting his 13th of the season at 3:48. Less than four minutes later, however, the Condors erased the deficit and jumped in front. RW Chad Painchaud tied it up, snapping in a rebound at 5:11. Then at 7:16, F Andrew Ianiero rapped in a centering feed from C Brett Pilkington, on the power play, to take the lead.

Bakersfield (11-14-4, 26pts) extended the lead just 26 seconds into the middle frame when D Martin Frechette punched in his sixth of the season to make it 3-1. At 6:54, F Matt Pope picked up his team-leading 17th of the season, coming on the power play, to make it 4-1. Pope is just one goal off the league lead for rookies this season. Ontario pulled back within two with a late tally by LW Chris Curran at 18:01. Nie had made 24 saves through 40 minutes of play for the Condors.

Condors RW Mike Wirll dashed the Reign's hopes for a third period comeback all by himself, potting his fifth and sixth goals of the season to put it out of reach. Scoring at 13:07 on a 2-on-1 and then at 17:02 on the power play, Wirll now has 11 points (4g-7a) in seven games with Bakersfield. The Condors went 3-for-11 with the man advantage and Nie made 10 more saves in a perfect third period. Bakersfield had 20 or more shots on goal in both the second and third periods on the night, and outscored their opponents 13-5 in two home games this weekend.

Notes from the Nest: The Condors head out on the road for their next four games, including games in Phoenix on Tuesday and three games in Victoria after the turn of the New Year.

Their next home game is Friday, Jan. 9 against the Phoenix Roadrunners. That night the Condors will give away 1,000 gallons of free gas, sponsored by My 45 and KUZZ 107.9. On Jan. 10 they host the Alaska Aces for Zamboni Pillow Giveaway, sponsored by 93.1 Pirate Radio and Goodwill Industries. The first 2,000 fans 5 and older will get a Zamboni Pillow. Both games start at 7 p.m.

In addition to being broadcast on ESPN Radio 1230, B2 Networks and Bakersfieldcondors.com, Sunday's game will be televised live on Bright House Networks Ch. 21, and available On Demand on Ch. 300 starting Monday.

Get Tickets: Individual game tickets 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 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).

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ECHL Stories from December 29, 2008


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