ECHL Bakersfield Condors

The Chase for Home Ice Continues

March 27, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Bakersfield Condors News Release


Monday, March 20th
CONDORS 3 vs. Stockton 2 (SO)
Attendance: 3,764
Josh Liebenow's game-tying goal from Kevin Truelson and Mike Hofstrand with 2:06 remaining sent the game past regulation, where Dave Bonk notched the game-winner in the sixth round for a Condors 3-2 victory.

Wednesday, March 22nd
CONDORS 5 @ Phoenix 3
The Bakersfield Condors extended their winning streak to five games with a 5-3 victory over the Phoenix Roadrunners in front of 3,716 fans at the US Airways Center. Brad Mehalko and Mathieu Brunelle both scored two goals for the win.

Friday, March 24th
CONDORS 2 @ Las Vegas 5
The Bakersfield Condors' season-high five game winning streak come to a close in their 5-2 loss to the Las Vegas Wranglers in front of 5,278 fans at the Orleans Arena. Alexandre Bolduc recorded a shorthanded goal in the defeat.

Saturday, March 25th
CONDORS 5 @ Long Beach 6 (SO)
The Bakersfield Condors dug out of a 3-1 first period deficit to take a 5-4 lead in the third, but Justin Aikins of the Long Beach Ice Dogs tied the game with 1:12 remaining in regulation. From there, Ice Dogs netminder Olivier Michaud stopped all three Condor shots in the shootout to hand Bakersfield a 6- 5 loss in front of 3,697 fans at the Long Beach Arena.

Where we are
The Condors (34-24-6, 74 points) are five points behind the 2nd place Long Beach Ice Dogs. Bakersfield has played three fewer games than Long Beach with eight regular season games remaining.

Notes from the Nest
-Bakersfield has won seven of its last eight home games.
-Kevin Truelson's 13 shots on goal versus Stockton on March 20th ties an ECHL season-high.
-The Condors are 19-0-2 when leading after two periods.
-With his goal against Long Beach on Saturday, Kevin St. Jacques is now five points from his 1000th career point.
-Alexandre Bolduc is tied for the league lead among rookies with three shorthanded goals.
-Bakersfield carried a season-long five-game winning streak from March 14th through March 22nd.
-The Condors concluded their season series with potential first-round playoff opponent Long Beach with a 4-1-2 record. Five of the seven games were decided in either overtime or the shootout.

Recent Transactions
On Sunday, the Condors signed forward Brian Swiniarski to the roster. Swiniarski, 23, joins the Condors after four years at Northeastern University. The 5-foot-11 forward played in 134 consecutive games for the Huskies and scored 30 goals and 19 assists at Northeastern. In 2003-04, Swiniarski recorded career-highs for goals (13) and plus-minus (+10). Swiniarski additionally served as an alternate captain for the Huskies during his senior season in 2005-06. The Condors also announced the release of defenseman Sean Clark.

Injury Report
Sean Venedam (30-Day from Mar. 7th), Scott Borders (30-Day from Mar. 7) and Nick Economakos (30-Day from Mar. 1st) are on the 30-Day Injured Reserve and are eligible to return in time for the regular season finale on April 8th. Brian Collins (30- Day from March 14th) will be eligible to return following the start of the postseason. The 7-Day Injured Reserve is currently occupied by Shaun Fisher (placed on IR Mar. 21st) and Andrew Ianiero (placed on IR Mar. 12th).

Buy Tickets
The Condors continue their road trip Tuesday when they visit the Fresno Falcons. Bakersfield returns home on Wednesday, March 29th to host the Utah Grizzlies on High School & Student ID Night presented by WB-TV 12 and the Big 96.5. Students presenting a valid school ID at the Arena box office can receive terrace admission for just $1 The Condors then host a return match against the Utah Grizzlies on Friday, March 31st. That night, bring a pillow to join the Condors as we attempt to set the Guinness World Record for largest pillow fight courtesy of WB-TV 12 and 106.1 KRAB Radio and American Business Machines. Pillows will then be collected and donated to the Bakersfield Homeless Shelter and other local charities. On Saturday, April 1st, Bakersfield and Phoenix meet up for the Condors' Bakersfield Fog Jersey Raffle and Auction presented by Bud Light. The Condors will turn back the clock and don Fog jerseys, which will be auctioned off after the game, plus everyone in attendance has a chance to win one of five to be given away! All proceeds from the jersey auction will be donated to CASA.

League Leaders
-Sean Venedam - 3 PPG in one game (ECHL season-high)
-Sean Venedam - 15 power play goals (T-2nd)
-Alexandre Bolduc - 3 shorthanded goals (T-1st among rookies)
-Alexandre Bolduc - 4 shorthanded points (3rd among rookies)
-Andrew Ianiero - 4 shorthanded assists (T-1st)
-Andrew Ianiero - 6 shorthanded points (T-3rd)
-Kevin Truelson - 40 points (T-8th among defensemen)
-Kevin Truelson - 221 shots on goal (2nd among defensemen)
-Ryan Munce - 28 wins (T-4th)
-Ryan Munce - 2998 minutes (1st)
-Ryan Munce - 1584 saves (1st)
-Ryan Munce - 8 shootout wins (1st)
-Ryan Munce - 4 overtime wins (T-1st)
-Ryan Munce - .808 shootout percentage (2nd)
-Bakersfield - 5,506 fans/game (7th)

This Week (All Times Pacific)
Tuesday, March 28th @ Fresno (7:00pm)
Wednesday, March 29th vs. Utah (7:00pm)
Friday, March 31st vs. Utah (7:00pm)
Saturday, April 1st vs. Phoenix (7:00pm)

Last Week
Last Week's Record (2-1-1)
Overall Record (34-24-6)




ECHL Stories from March 27, 2006


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