ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Fukufuji and Condors win in shootout, 4-3

Published on February 17, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - G Yutaka Fukufuji made 36 saves and did not allow a goal in the seven-round shootout to lead the Bakersfield Condors to a 4-3 victory against the Utah Grizzlies before 2,321 fans at The E Center in Salt Lake City on Monday night. Fukufuji has won his last three games, as the Condors extended their winning streak to four in a row and six of their last seven.

Grizzlies F Matt Rogers opened the scoring at 10:36 in the first period to give Utah (18-16-15, 51pts) a 1-0 lead, but Bakersfield (20-27-6, 46pts) promptly battled back. Just 38 seconds later, C Bruce Graham netted his 16th of the season to tie the game at 1-1. However, Utah responded with a goal from F Tom May, setting a team record by extending his goal streak to 10 games, and the Grizzlies entered the intermission ahead, 2-1.

Both teams exchanged tallies in the second period, leaving Utah in the lead, 3-2, through the first 40 minutes. F Danny LaPointe scored his second goal as a Condor at 12:24 to tie the game, but F Mark Pavli put the Grizzlies back in the lead just 2:23 later. Shots on goal were tied, 24-24, through the first two frames.

After 19:13 of scoreless play in the final period, the Condors found the equalizer on the power play with the extra attacker on the ice, when F Andrew Ianiero hammered home a one-timer from the slot, sending the game to overtime at 3-3.

Neither team lit the lamp in overtime, and the game progressed to the shootout. Both Fukufuji and G Peter Mannino took over in the shootout, turning aside both team's first six shooters. F Matt Pope shot first in the seventh round, and deked to the backhand to slip the puck past Mannino, putting Bakersfield in the lead. Fukufuji then completed the shutout in the shootout, gloving down D Andy Sertich's wrister to seal the 4-3 shootout win for the Condors. The win keeps the Condors within one point of tying the Phoenix RoadRunners, who also won tonight, in the National Conference Standings.

Notes from the Nest:

The Condors remain in Salt Lake City for a rematch against the Utah Grizzlies on Wednesday at 6:05 p.m. Pacific.

Bakersfield returns home for Fighting Cancer Hockey-Thon Weekend, with two afternoon games against the Victoria Salmon Kings. Saturday, Feb. 21 the Veggie Tales come to town, sponsored by Pirate 93.1 and DMW Industries Inc., with a special appearance by Bakersfield native and NY Giants QB David Carr, who will give a motivational speech after the game. The puck drops at noon.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. is the conclusion of the Hockey-Thon, sponsored by KBAK-29, KUZZ 107.9 and Bakersfield Californian. Don't miss the Condors Alumni vs. West Coast All-Stars Alumni Game at noon. Doors open at 11:45 a.m.

All Condors games are broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230, B2 Networks and Bakersfieldcondors.com, and be sure to tune in 15 minutes early for Condors Countdown.

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).

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics

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