ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Condors Win In Fresno 4-2

Published on January 31, 2004 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Fresno, Calif. – Jason Ralph scored twice and Shane Bendera made 27 saves as the Bakersfield Condors defeated the Fresno Falcons 4-2 at the Save Mart Center on Friday night.

The Condors took the lead on Jason Ralph's 16th goal of the season just 1:03 into the game. Ralph's blast trickled through the pads of Fresno goalie Mike Brusseau for his third goal in the last two games. Fresno tied the game later in the first while Bakersfield was on the power play. Rookie John Wroblewski came in one-on-one with a defenseman, slipped around him and banged a shot through Shane Bendera for his second shorthanded goal of the year.

Ralph regained the lead for Bakersfield early in the second frame. He redirected a pass through Brusseau to tie Johan Astrom for the Condors team lead in goals. It was the first shot of the period for Bakersfield, who managed just one shot on goal through the first nine minutes of the period. The Condors finished the period holding on to the one goal lead, while Fresno outshot Bakersfield 15-11 through forty minutes.

In the third period, the penalties came pouring in. Eleven penalties and six power plays were given out, including four to Fresno. However, Bendera stood his ground, and allowed Bakersfield to extend the lead. Paul Willett rapped in a loose puck while the Condors were on the advantage to make it 3-1 with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Just 1:01 later, while the Falcons had pulled their goaltender for the extra attacker on the power play, Jimmy Drolet intercepted a pass in the Condors end, skated it to center and fired it into the empty net to make it 4-1. The Falcons scored on the remainder of that power play to cut the lead to two, but Bakersfield held on for the win.

The Condors improved to 6-1 against the Falcons on the season, and 3-0 at the Save Mart Center.

They travel to San Diego to play against the Gulls at 7:00pm on Saturday night. All games, home and away, can be heard live on KGEO AM 1230, and online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to faceoff. The Voice of the Condors, Kevin Bartl, handles the play-by-play. They return home on Tuesday, February 3rd against Fresno at 7:00pm.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the Centennial Garden box office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday, by calling Ticketmaster at 322-2525, online at ticketmaster.com or stopping by any Ticketmaster location. Season and group tickets may be purchased by calling 324-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Condors office next to Centennial Garden.

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ECHL Stories from January 31, 2004


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