ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Win 300th Game In Team History, Clinch At Least Third Spot In National Conference

April 2, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors won their 300th game in team history last week, and locked up no lower than the third seed in the National Conference, setting up a likely first-round series with the Fresno Falcons in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

The Condors still have a mathematical chance to finish as the 2nd seed in the National Conference, buy they would need some help. The Condors would have to win their remaining three games and Las Vegas would have to lose their four remaining games. The Condors will most likely match-up with Fresno in the first round of the playoffs. The best of seven series would open Tuesday, April 10, in Bakersfield for a 7 p.m. game time. Bakersfield finished the 2006-07 season series 7-0-2 against Fresno, including 2-0-2 on the road.

The Condors are 41-16-12 on the season, including 21-10-3 at The Nest. The Condors host the Idaho Steelheads in a two-game home-stand this week with games on Wednesday and Friday before heading down south to Long Beach for the regular season finale at 7 p.m. Both home games start at 7 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.

Overall Record: 41-16-12 (94 points)

Pacific Division: 2nd

National Conference: 3rd

Last Week: 1-1-2

THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC)

Wednesday, April 4 vs. Idaho (7 p.m.)

Friday, April 6 vs. Idaho (7 p.m.)

Saturday, April 7 @ Long Beach (7 p.m.)

WEEK IN REVIEW:

Tuesday, March 27:

CONDORS 3 @ Las Vegas 4 SO (Attendance: 4,004)

Las Vegas jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, but the Condors answered back at 16:33 in the first when David Kudelka knocked home his third of the season. The Condors and Wranglers exchanged goals during the second period to enter the third period knotted at three. Neither team scored again in regulation or overtime and the Wranglers won the shootout, 2-1.

Wednesday, March 28:

CONDORS 3 vs. Phoenix 5 (Attendance: 4,262)

Bakersfield scored three power-play goals, but it wasn't enough as Phoenix won the final game of the season series. Rejean Beauchemin made 45 saves but suffered his first loss in regulation with the Condors.

Friday, March 30:

CONDORS 3 @ Fresno 2 (Attendance: 5,060)

The Condors and Falcons went toe-to-toe in a possible first round match-up. After a scoreless first period, the Falcons jumped on the board early in the second but the Condors answered back with Brett Lutes' 31st of the season at 19:04 to tie it. The Condors opened the third session with an early power-play goal from Kevin Truelson at 2:06. The Falcons tied it shortly there after, but Truelson tallied once again, this time short-handed, and it proved to be the game winner.

Saturday, March 31:

CONDORS 3 vs. Stockton 4 SO (Attendance: 7,344)

The Thunder jumped out of the gates very quickly scoring at 2:11 and 4:30 of the first. With the help of an electric crowd, the Condors answered back with three consecutive goals, two of them short-handed, to take a one goal lead into the final period. Stockton knocked home the game-tying goal at 12:34 in the third, and after a scoreless overtime, the two teams faced off in a shootout. The Condors first two shooters scored, but Stockton replied with two goals of their own and knocked home the game-winner in the eighth round.

PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:

Brett Lutes leads the team with 31 goals

Sean Venedam leads the team with 70 points (26g, 44a)

Kevin St. Jacques next assist will be the 700th of his pro career

Sean Venedam was placed on the 3-day IR on March 30, eligible to come off April 2

Kevin St. Jacques was placed on the 7-day IR on March 28, eligible to come off April 4

Todd Griffith remains on the 30-day IR, eligible to come off April 12

Andrew Oke and Scott Balan remain on the 30-day IR

Bakersfield finished the 2006-07 season series 7- 0-2 against Fresno, including 2-0-2 on the road

Bakersfield finished the 2006-07 season series 3- 4-1 against Stockton, including 1-2-1 at The Nest.

The Condors penalty killers have allowed just six goals in their opponents' last 72 chances.

PROMOTIONAL NOTES:

Wednesday will be a CW Bakersfield & 106.1 KRAB Radio High School/College ID Night. All college and high school students receive admission for $1.00 by presenting their student ID. Wednesday will also be a Community Connection for Child Care Cell Phone & Printer Cartridge Collection Night. Fans will receive $1.00 terrace admission with the donation of a used cellular telephone, empty inkjet, laser or fax cartridge, laptop computer or PDA. The Condors will also hold another Holiday Inn Select DARE Night on Wednesday. Students graduating from the DARE program receive complimentary terrace admission to the game.

The Kelly Cup Tour will stop in Bakersfield on Wednesday when the Condors take on the Idaho Steelheads. Don't miss your chance to view the coveted trophy presented annually to the postseason champion of the Premier 'AA' Hockey League since 1997.

Friday, April 6 is Pint Glass Giveaway, courtesy of KGET-TV 17, KUZZ 107.9 and Carl's Jr. The first 2,000 adults will receive a Condors pint glass. Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m.

BROADCAST INFO:

You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens calling all the action. Most games are also available to view courtesy of B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch the Game Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available via their web site, www.bakersfieldcondors.com. For more information or to reserve ticket packages, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

LEAGUE LEADERS:

Average Attendance - 5,827 (4th)

Overall Team Wins - 41 (T-3rd)

Overall Team Points - 94 (3rd)

Overall Team Winning Percentage - 68.1% (3rd)

Team Goals Scored - 261 (2nd)

Team Overall Penalty Killing - 85.4% (4th)

Team Home Penalty Killing - 85.5% (8th)

Josh Liebenow - 7 Game- winning goals (T-2nd)

Todd Griffith - 26 Rookie Goals (2nd)

Jamie Hodson - 28 Wins (T-4th)

Individual game tickets are now on sale and 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 www.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).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 2, 2007


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