First full week a week of firsts for Condors
Published on October 27, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors picked up their first win of the season last Wednesday against the Stockton Thunder, before battling the Fresno Falcons in a home-and-home series over the weekend to complete a stretch of three games in four nights. D Martin Frechette, rookie D Sean Hurley and rookie F Matt Pope all scored their first professional goals during the week, as rookie G Joey Perricone made his first professional start in net on Friday.
The Condors are 1-2-1 on the season, and tied for 4th place with the Las Vegas Wranglers in the Pacific Division, with three points through one full week of play. The Fresno Falcons and Ontario Reign remain tied for the early division lead with six points apiece.
THIS WEEK (ALL TIMES PACIFIC):
Wednesday, Oct. 29 @ Ontario (7 p.m.)
Saturday, Nov. 1 vs. Stockton (7 p.m.)
WEEK IN REVIEW (Home team in CAPS):
Wednesday, Oct. 22
CONDORS 7 vs. Stockton 4
Attn: 3,716
The Condors erased an early two-goal deficit with a pair of tallies late in the first period by F Matt Caruana and F Matt Pope (left). Bakersfield lit the lamp four more times in the second with goals from F Charlie Kronschnabel, Caruana, D Sean Hurley and Pope. Stockton found the back of the net once in the second, but Bakersfield led 6-3 heading into the third. Stockton drew within two in the third, but an empty-net goal by LW Chad Painchaud sealed the win for the Condors.
Friday, Oct. 24
FRESNO 3 vs. Condors 2
The Condors jumped out to an early lead with a shorthanded goal by F Matt Pope, but Fresno responded late in the frame with a power-play tally to tie it up. Neither team broke the tie in the second, thanks in large part to 14 saves by Condors rookie G Joey Perricone in the period. The Falcons took a quick lead in the third with a shorthanded goal, but D Tyler Scott (right) brought Bakersfield back with a power-play goal just 35 seconds later. Fresno capitalized on a 5-on-3 power play at 7:17 to deal the decisive blow. Neither team scored an even-strength goal on the night.
Saturday, Oct. 25
Fresno 3 vs. CONDORS 2, SO
Attn: 6,025
The home-and-home series continued for the Condors and Falcons, shifting to The Nest for their second game in as many nights. The Condors again opened the scoring, as D Martin Frechette (left) slapped home his first professional goal on a man-advantage early in the first. Fresno responded late in the period and the game was tied through one. After a scoreless second, LW Dany Roussin intercepted a neutral-zone pass and dished it to F Matt Caruana, who put the Condors back in the lead early in the third. Fresno found the equalizer 10 minutes later, and after a scoreless overtime, the game proceeded to a shootout, which the Falcons won, 2-0.
PLAYER AND TEAM NOTES:
The Condors have the highest average attendance (5,885) of any team with more than one home game, and are 6th in the league overall.
G Joey Perricone made his professional debut on Friday night in Fresno, stopping 30 of 33 shots in the game, including 14 saves in the second period alone. The 21 year-old native of San Juan Capistrano, CA, spent the last five seasons in the WHL with Moose Jaw.
F Matt Caruana (right) has scored a goal in three of the four games and leads the team with four tallies. He is tied for 4th among the ECHL's top rookie goal-scorers.
Rookie F Matt Pope leads the team and is tied for 5th among ECHL rookies with 6 points (3g-3a). He scored his first professional goal on Wednesday against Stockton.
Rookie D Sean Hurley also scored his first pro goal against Stockton on Wednesday. His goal was initially credited to Pope, which would have been Pope's second of three goals on the night, but was later corrected. Hurley has two points (1g-1a) in three games this season.
LW Dany Roussin (right) has three assists in three games to tie Pope for the team lead.
D Scotty Balan (14 PIM) and RW Liam Huculak (18 PIM) have accounted for 32 of the team's 77 PIM.
The Condors are tied for the league lead with 2 shorthanded goals (scored by Pope and F Charlie Kronschnabel).
Bakersfield has the second-fewest PIM in the National Conference.
D Sean Hurley was placed on the 3-IR on Saturday, and will be eligible to be activated on Tuesday, Oct. 28, while F Dale Reinhardt remains on the 7-IR, though he is eligible to be activated.
PROMOTIONAL INFO:
Bakersfield heads south to Citizens Business Bank Arena on Wednesday to take on the Ontario Reign. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and bakersfieldcondors.com, and live video will be available online via B2 Networks. Tune in 15 minutes before the start of the game for Condors Countdown. Game time is 7 p.m.
The Condors return to the Mercy and Memorial Hospitals Home Ice at Rabobank Arena on Saturday to play host to the Stockton Thunder. Saturday's game will feature the ABC23 and Pirate 93.1 Team Poster Giveaway, during which everyone in attendance will receive a 2008-09 Condors Team Poster.
Saturday will also be a Bright House Networks, Bakersfield Californian, and Wells Fargo Condors Kids Club Night, with all Kids Club members receiving free admission to the game.
Additionally, all Season Ticket Holders are invited to the first Season Ticket Holder Meet the Team event of the year, immediately following the game.
Doors open at 6 p.m., puck drops at 7 p.m. In addition to ESPN Radio 1230, bakersfieldcondors.com and B2 Networks, Saturday's game will be broadcast live on Bright House Networks Ch. 21 and will be available On Demand on Ch. 300, starting Sunday.
Individual game tickets are 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).
LEAGUE LEADERS:
Average Attendance - 5,885 (6th)
F Matt Pope - 6 points (t-5th Rookies)
Pope - 33.3% Shooting Percentage (t-4th Rookies)
F Matt Caruana - 4 goals (t-4th Rookies)
Caruana - 40% Shooting Percentage (t-1st Rookies)
CONDORS LEADERS:
Points- F Matt Pope (6)
Goals- F Matt Caruana (4)
Assists- Pope and LW Dany Roussin (3)
PIM- F Liam Huculak (18)
Plus/Minus- Pope (+4)
GAA- G Dave McKee (2.61)
Save Percentage- McKee (.921)
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