ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Ice Dogs Out-Slug Condors, 7-5, To Close Out Regular Season

Published on April 7, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


LONG BEACH, Calif. - Brandon Schwartz notched a goal and three assists, while Bo Cheesman chipped in with three points, leading the Long Beach Ice Dogs to a 7-5 win in the regular season finale Saturday night, before 4,198 at the Long Beach Arena. Bakersfield begins the postseason Tuesday at The Nest against the Fresno Falcons.

Even with the setback, the Condors (41-19-12, 94 points) finished with the most points in team history and tied for the most wins in team history. They are the No. 3 seed and will have home-ice advantage in their National Conference Quarterfinal series against Fresno.

Josh Liebenow gave the Condors a 1-0 lead 1:44 into the first period, one-timing home his 28th goal of the year past Long Beach netminder Mike Brown. The Ice Dogs (27-42-3, 57 points) grabbed a 2-1 lead, as Chris Collins scored at 2:17 and Ryan Bennett knocked one past Jamie Hodson at the 3:23 mark.

But Bakersfield answered at 9:30 of the first, thanks to Reagan Leslie's fourth goal of the season. Leslie, playing forward, streaked to the net and redirected in Jay Langager's centering feed, tying the game at two apiece.

Long Beach, however, took control of the game with three tallies in the middle frame. Cheesman got it started 41 seconds in the period, tipping in Brian White's point shot for his 19th goal. Then the Ice Dogs scored back-to-back power-play goals later in the frame, taking a 5-2 lead. Schwartz recorded his 19th at 13:59 before Ash Goldie punched in his 39th at 17:34.

Sean Venedam made it a 5- 3 game with a power-play goal 33 seconds into the third period with his 28th marker, but Collins came back for Long Beach with his second of the game, converting a two-on-one at 1:56.

Brett Lutes knocked in another power-play goal at 8:55, his team-leading 34th, while Rane Carnegie earned his third assist of the game on the play. The Ice Dogs answered again at the 12-minute mark, as Bennett potted his second of the game.

Steve Gillen capped the scoring at 13:01 with his first pro goal. Gillen, who was signed earlier in the day, was making his Condors debut.

To access the game's full box score click here.

Notes: Bakersfield's 12-game road unbeaten streak was snapped. The Condors finished the season series 6-1-1 against the Ice Dogs, including 3- 1-0 in Long Beach. Bakersfield finished the regular season with 20 road wins, the most in team history. Liebenow and Mike Hofstrand were the only Condors to play in all 72 regular season games. Gillen has played in six ECHL games this season and is eligible to play in the postseason.

The Kelly Cup Playoffs begin with Game 1 of the first round on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at The Nest, and it will be Blackout Rally Towel Giveaway. All fans will receive a Condors rally towel, thanks to KGET-TV 17 and Goodwill Industries, and are encouraged to wear black to BLACKOUT the Fresno Falcons. Game 2 will be Thursday at Fresno at 7:30 p.m. and Game 3 will be back at The Nest Friday at 7 p.m., featuring a special Goalie Mask Giveaway. All home playoff games will be televised lived on Bright House Networks.

Playoff tickets are now available to the public and may be purchased through the Rabobank Arena Box Office, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, by phone at 322-2525 or at any Ticketmaster location. Season tickets for 2007-08 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 April 7, 2007


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