ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Luck of the Irving: Joel Nets Two in St. Patrick's Day Win

March 18, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


BAKERSFIELD, Calif., - Joel Irving scored twice, including the eventual game-winning goal on a second period power play as the Bakersfield Condors defeated the Phoenix Roadrunners 5-2 in front of 5,856 fans at the Rabobank Arena.

Mike Hofstrand sparked the game's first goal as he brought it into the offensive zone on the right wing. Hofstrand fed a backhand pass from the corner, redirected by Jack Baker to Tyler Scott at the far part of the slot. Scott sought a backhand shot and as he was held from behind by a Phoenix defenseman, tapped a short pass to Brad Mehalko. Mehalko pushed a shot behind goaltender Zach Sikich and into the net to give the Condors a 1-0 lead with 1:57 left in the first period.

Justin Quenneville tied the game for Phoenix on a second-period power play. Mike Oullett worked the puck to the near post, where Ryan Munce made the initial save as the rebound bounced through the top of the slot. Quenneville dug a backhand shot over the fallen Munce to knot the game at 1-1 at 6:52 of the second.

After Joel Irving connected with Mathieu Brunelle on a long three-line pass off the near boards, Scott Balan and Kevin Truelson worked the puck along the right wing. Truelson fired a shot to the crease, where Brunelle chipped a shot past Sikich to give the Condors a 2-1 lead at 13:48 of the second period.

Irving made it 3-1 Condors four minutes later as he cannoned a slapshot uncontested from the circle to the left side of Sikich. Dave Bonk found Irving from the corner after opening up a Bakersfield power play with a pass from Scott Balan.

Kevin St. Jacques recorded his 21st goal of the season when he followed a Kevin Truelson point- blank shot inside the far post. Balan assisted for the third time as Bakersfield extended their lead to 4-1.

Joel Irving centered a pass toward Tyler Scott from behind the cage as Zach Sikich held the far post. Phoenix defenseman Dusty Demaniuk looked to clear away, but accidentally chipped the puck with a backhand over the left shoulder of Sikich to put the Condors up 5-1 in the third period.

Jake Riddle added a power play goal for Phoenix from Taylor Christie, but the Condors lead proved too steep to overcome en route to Bakersfield's 31st win of the season.

Ryan Munce earned the victory, stopping 32 of 34 Phoenix shots. Zach Sikich was credited with the loss despite making 40 saves on 45 Condor attempts.

Other notes: With a goal and assist, Kevin St. Jacques now has 991 career points, just 9 shy of 1,000. Kevin Truelson tied a Condors season- high with 10 shots on goal, including 6 in the second period. Alexandre Bolduc notched 10 shots Scott Balan also tied a Condors season-high with three assists. The feat has been matched four times this season.

For the record: The Condors improved to 31-23-5 on the season with 65 points. Bakersfield moves to within seven points of 2nd place Long Beach following the Ice Dogs' 5-1 loss at Fresno this evening.

The Condors and Roadrunners faceoff again tomorrow night, March 18th. The first 2,000 kids 12 and under will receive a Kevin St. Jacques bobblehead doll courtesy of KGET-TV 17 and Barber Honda.

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from March 18, 2006


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