ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Hofstrand's Hat Trick Leads Condors Past Salmon Kings, 8-1

January 20, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


VICTORIA, B.C. - Mike Hofstrand scored a goal in each period to lead the Bakersfield Condors to a rout of the Victoria Salmon Kings, 8-1, Friday night, in front of 4,219 at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Coupled with Las Vegas' loss to Utah in overtime, the Condors are tied with the Wranglers atop the Pacific Division.

Bakersfield (22-11-3, 47 points) broke on top in the first period, as Brett Lutes continued his goal-scoring rampage. Lutes connected on a rebound of Steve Rodberg's shot for his team-leading 20th of the season at 3:18 to make it 1-0.

The Condors continued to press the play for most of the session and were rewarded with two late goals. At 16:12, Josh Liebenow netted his 13th of the year on a slapper from the left point, with an assist to Kevin St. Jacques.

Then with time running down at 19:21, Hofstrand's blast went off Bryan Bridges and high in the air, and when it came down it was in the net. The goal was originally waived off as it appeared Alex Rogosheske tipped it in with a high stick, but after a conference by the officials, the goal stood and was awarded to Hofstrand.

The onslaught continued in period two, with the Condors scoring another pair of goals in quick succession. Just 22 seconds in, off a face-off deep in the Victoria zone, Tyler Scott's initial shot went wide of the net, but he took the rebound off the backboards and snapped the puck in the the net to make it 4-0. Then at 1:56, Hofstrand slapped home his second off the night to make it 5-0 Bakersfield.

Victoria (13-25-1, 27 points) got on the board at 12:56, when Marc-Andre Bernier tipped in a pass from Milan Gajic to spoil Jamie Hodson's shutout.

But the Condors continued to pile it on in the third. Liebenow scored his second of the night at 2:57, and Todd Griffith made a successful return to the Condors by scoring on a wrap-around at 5:03.

Hofstrand completed his hat trick and capped the scoring on a beautiful setup at 9:42. Kevin Truelson rushed up the right side, slid the puck to Kevin Asselin in the middle, and Asselin unselfishly moved it to Hofstrand on the left side and he buried it.

Notes: After teaming up on the first goal, Lutes now has a seven-game points streak (5g, 4a), and Rodberg has a six-game points streak (1g, 7a), with an assist in each of the contests.

The Condors and Salmon Kings will face-off again Saturday, January 20 and Monday, January 22, with both games starting at 7:05 p.m. The Condors return to The Nest Wednesday, Jan. 24th to take on the Fresno Falcons. Doors open at 6 p.m. Puck drops at 7 p.m.

Individual game tickets are on sale and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 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 also available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324- PUCK (7825).

You can catch all Condors games live on KGEO Hot Talk AM1230 with Jake Stevens calling all the action. Most games are available to view courtesy of B2 Networks. Just click the "Watch the Game Live" link on the Condors home page. Live streaming for all Condors games is also available via the web site, www.bakersfieldcondors.com.

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ECHL Stories from January 20, 2007


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