ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Fukufuji and the Condors shutout Fresno 3-0

March 23, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


FRESNO, Calif. - Yutaka Fukufuji made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season, and Chris Di Ubaldo scored twice as the Bakersfield Condors downed the Fresno Falcons 3-0 at Save Mart Center in front of 11,582 fans Saturday night.

The first period elapsed with strong defense on both sides. Though outshot in the frame, Bakersfield drew first blood with a tally by Di Ubaldo, who banged in his fourth of the season and his second in as many nights. Di Ubaldo moved up to take LW Mark Derlago's spot on a line with C Steve Slonina and F Andrew Ianiero, after Derlago signed in the American Hockey League this week. Fukufuji stopped all 11 shots faced in the period for the Condors.

Di Ubaldo notched his second of the game in the middle frame, taking advantage of a miscue by Falcons G Kris Mayotte. Mayotte tried to play the puck up the middle of the ice but sent it right to Di Ubaldo in the slot and he rifled it home. Bakersfield killed off five Fresno power plays in the second period alone, and held the 2-0 advantage through 40 minutes. Fukufuji added 10 more saves in the second, including a couple key ones late in the period on the Falcons power play.

F Eric Sonnenberg extended the lead to 3-0 in the third period, netting his seventh of the season in a goal- mouth scramble. Fukufuji did the rest, stopping 11 shots in the third period, including a pair of brilliant pad saves as the clock wound down, to preserve his first shutout of the season.

Notes from The Nest:

The Falcons alumni defeated the Condors alumni prior to tonight's match by a final score of 13- 10. The Condors jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening period, but couldn't hold back the Falcons attack. The game was a fundraiser for the Fresno Jr. Falcons and Make-A-Wish Foundation in Fresno.

LW Mark Derlago remains in Manitoba (AHL), where he signed a PTO (professional try-out) earlier this week. He recorded an assist in each of his first two AHL games.

Upcoming Games:

March Monday Madness continues when Bakersfield returns home on Monday, March 24 for NASCAR Night. Fans wearing a NASCAR shirt or jacket will receive $1 terrace admission. In addition, one of Jeff Gordon's actual race cars will be on hand and is equipped as a virtual reality simulator, so fans can take their turn driving like the pros.

Monday will also be a CW Bakersfield and 106.1 KRAB Radio High School/College ID Night. All high school and college students receive admission for $1.00 by presenting their student ID at the Rabobank Arena Box Office.

The first 2,000 fans on Monday will also receive the fourth magnet, featuring Kevin Truelson, of the five-piece March Monday Madness Magnet Collectors Series. A new magnet is handed out at each March Monday Madness game.

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).

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ECHL Stories from March 23, 2008


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