ECHL Bakersfield Condors

Playoffs Start with ThunderStix and Jersey Auction

April 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Bakersfield, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors of the West Coast Hockey League will host the San Diego Gulls on Friday and Saturday night at Centennial Garden as the 2002-03 Taylor Cup Playoffs commence. Both games start at 7:00pm.

Friday's game is chock-full of events, starting with a ThunderStix giveaway for everyone in attendance. KGET-TV 17, Clear Channel Radio and the Active 20/30 Club sponsor the opening round of the post-season.

Before the game, the Condors will have a special guest dropping the ceremonial first puck. Gabby McCutcheon, a 14-year old, self-acclaimed Condors megafan, recently received praise for her attempt to save the life of her bus driver earlier this week, who was suffering from a heart attack behind the wheel. Limousine Scene is providing her with a limo ride to and from the game as well.

During the first intermission, WCHL VP of Hockey Operations Robert Dirk will be on hand to present the numerous league awards garnered by Condors players over the last two weeks. The Condors have reeled in the MVP and Goaltender of the Year with Kevin St. Pierre. Head Coach Paul Kelly claimed the Coach of the Year award as well. St. Pierre and C Paul Willett were both named to the All-WCHL Team, while C Jason Jackman and D Jonas Lennartsson were named to the All-Rookie Team.

On Saturday night, the Condors will hold their final "Jersey Off Our Backs" raffle and auction of the season, for their "Go Army" warm up jerseys. The auction will help raise money for local children's charities, while a minimum of 10% of the proceeds have already been allocated for donation to the children of the local servicemen and women taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Active 20/30 Club will be responsible for distributing the funds. In addition, everyone in attendance will have the chance to win one of five jerseys to be given away.

Both games are also Straight A Champions nights, allowing all students who racked up straight A's on their report card during the school year a voucher good for free terrace admission (with the purchase of an adult terrace ticket). Participating schools handed the vouchers out to eligible students and the promotion runs throughout the playoffs.

Also on Saturday night, the local chapter of the MDA is participating in a "Fill the Skate" fundraiser. They will be at three major intersections collecting money for MDA, trying to "Fill the Skate" with donations. Everyone who makes a donation will receive a voucher for $2.00 off admission for Saturday's contest.

Prior to Saturday's game, the Condors and KGET-TV 17 and 970AM will host a "Support the Troops" rally on the Garden Plaza. There will be guest speakers, patriotic songs and donations being collected by the Marine Corps League. A photo of the group will be taken for the local troops serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. International phone cards are being collected as well, to send to those troops overseas. The festivities begin at 5:00pm.

Both games will be televised live on Bright House Networks (formerly Time Warner Cable) Ch. 21. The replays will take place on Sunday, with Friday's match airing at 11:00am, and Saturday's game airing at 2:00pm.

Individual tickets can be purchased at the Centennial Garden Box Office, which opens at 10:00am Monday through Saturday, by calling Ticketmaster at 322-2525, online at ticketmaster.com or stopping by any Ticketmaster location. Group outings for the playoffs may be purchased by calling 324-PUCK (7825) or by visiting the Condors office next to Centennial Garden.

Check out the Bakersfield Condors Statistics



ECHL Stories from April 10, 2003


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