ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Hot Goaltender Ends Condors Perfect Home Division Record

February 28, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The Bakersfield Condors put a season-high 54 shots on net, but netminder Jamie Holden made 53 saves in the Condors' 4-1 loss to the Fresno Falcons in front of 3,607 fans at the Rabobank Arena.

Fresno recorded the first goal of the game on the power play halfway through the first period. After losing the puck behind the blue line, Dustin VanBallegooie fired a slap shot from the center of the blue line. VanBallegooie's shot soared past the left shoulder of Ryan Munce, giving the Falcons the early 1-0 lead.

The Condors tied the game with 20 seconds remaining until the first intermission following Andrew Ianiero's effort to push the puck behind the Falcons cage. Ianiero drew several Falcons behind the cage, freeing up Mike Hofstrand at the base of the slot. Hofstrand fired a one-timer past Jamie Holden to put the score at 1-1 heading into the second period.

Luke Curtin recovered the lead for the Falcons as he tapped a power play feed by Jean-Francois Plourde from the slot. Fraser Clair assisted as Fresno took a 2-1 lead into the second intermission.

Bakersfield had plenty of chances to tie the game midway through the period as they faced three power play chances in the span of nearly eight minutes. Holden held his own on the penalty kill and went on to stop all 23 shots he faced in the third period.

Fraser Clair sealed the win late for the Falcons with two goals in the span of 35 seconds in the final three minutes of the game, including a one-timer from Kris Porter with 2:20 left in the third period to make it 3-1 Fresno.

Jamie Holden earned the win, stopping 53 of Bakersfield's 54 shots. Ryan Munce was credited with the loss deapite making 25 saves on Fresno's 29 attempts.

Other notes: Mike Hofstrand has scored a goal in five of his last seven games. Bakersfield closed out the month of February with an 8-4-0 record, their best month of the season. Bakersfield's 54 shots on goal is the highest total for the team this season. The regulation loss was the Condors' first at home to a Pacific Division opponent this season. Bakersfield is now 7-1-3 against divisional foes at home.

The Condors host the Dayton Bombers on Wednesday, March 1st for High School and College ID Night presented by WB-12 TV and 106.1 KRAB Radio. All high school and college students presenting a valid student ID at the Box Office that day will receive $1 admission.

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ECHL Stories from February 28, 2006


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