Gulls - Condors Game Preview
October 17, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
San Diego Gulls News Release
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. â The San Diego Gulls and Bakersfield Condors begin their inaugural season in the ECHL when the two face off tomorrow night at Centennial Garden.
Both the Gulls and Condors spent the last eight seasons playing in the now-defunct West Coast Hockey League. They, along with the Anchorage (now Alaska) Aces and Fresno Falcons were the only four teams to play in all eight seasons of the WCHL's existence.
San Diego dominated the WCHL from its inception in 1995, winning five Taylor Cup Championships and leaving with a combined regular season and playoff record of 442-152-33.
There are a lot of new changes the Gulls will have to encounter this season; their first in the new ECHL. But one thing hasn't changed: high expectations. Coming off his fifth title in eight years last season, head coach and general manager Steve Martinson is expecting nothing short of another championship run this season.
Back in the fold for 2003-04 are key returning players Mark Pederson and Trevor Koenig. Pederson ranked seventh with 72 points and second with 39 goals in the WCHL last season, which led him to being named the league's Outstanding Forward. He was also an All-WCHL selection and named as the 2003 Taylor Cup Playoffs MVP.
Koenig was once again stellar between the pipes for San Diego last season, posting a 29-15-5 record with a 2.21 goals-against average and .917 save percentage. In his three-year stint with the Gulls, the all-star netminder has a collective 99-39-11 record with a franchise record 2.40 GAA and .916 save percentage.
The Condors enjoyed their best season in franchise history in 2002-03, posting 91 points (41-22-9). Goaltender Kevin St. Pierre was the biggest reason for Bakersfield success as he posted a league best 36 wins and WCHL single-season records â a 2.14 GAA and .929 save percentage. But St. Pierre signed with the United Hockey League's Fort Wayne Komets during the offseason. Now it's up to the tandem of Peter Hirsh and Joe Watkins to fill the big skates St. Pierre left behind.
Also gone is Bakersfield veteran center Paul Willett, who left the Condors as their all-time leader in games played, assists and points. Returning forwards Jamie Cooke, Paul Rosebush and Jason Ralph will be expected to pick up the offensive slack in Willett's absence.
Cooke's production has gone down during the last couple of seasons, but he still wound up with 54 points last season. The veteran right-winger finished his WCHL tenure 10th in points (381) and ninth in goals (172). Rosebush chipped in with 39 points last season while Ralph recorded a career high 64 points, good enough for 14th in the WCHL.
The Gulls were 7-6-1 against Bakersfield last season and are 76-15-5 all-time against its new ECHL rival. The two will square off 10 times in the regular season. San Diego is 6-2-0 all-time on Opening Night, but just 3-4-1, with a three-game losing streak, in road openers.
The Gulls play in Bakersfield again Friday, Oct. 24 before finishing the road trip Tuesday, Oct. 28 in Las Vegas. San Diego's home opener is Saturday, Nov. 1 against the Idaho Steelheads. The first 10,000 fans will get their very own pair of Gulls Thunder Sticks, courtesy of 4-Lawyer.com. And in honor of Halloween, it's going to be a blackout...so all fans are encouraged to dress in ALL BLACK to show their Halloween spirit! Kids 14 and under can wear their costumes and "Trick-or-Treat" on the outer concourse during the game! And, your favorites from KGB 101.5 FM will be there to keep everyone entertained all game long. All games can be heard on KPOP 1360AM with Chris Ello calling the play-by-play.
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