Game 7...Twice!

Just two days ago, the Cincinnati Cyclones and Reading Royals squared off in a Game 7 of their American Conference semi-final matchup, during which Cincinnati prevailed. The ECHL made note that it was only the 13th Game 7 in the 20 years of ECHL History.

Two of those 13 belong to Bakersfield.

It was just two years ago, almost to the day, on May 8, 2006 when the Condors became the first team ever to compete in two Game 7's in the same season. In fact, before the 2006 Kelly Cup Playoffs, there had never been more than one Game 7 for the entire league in one season. For the Condors, who held 3-games-to-2 leads in both series, the results were mixed. One was a win (4-3 against Long Beach in the opening round), the other a loss (4-2 at Fresno).

"Its nerve-wracking, that's for sure," said F Sean Venedam, who was in his first season with the Condors. "It's win or go home, not like a game early in the series where if you lose you can come back the next game. It's all about who's going to come out harder and take chances and make mistakes and all those things combined. Obviously you're giving everything you can at that point."

One Game 7 is enough, but does it get any easier with a Game 7 in back-to-back series?

"It's never easy, and you definitely feel worn out. You're thinking 'Man, it's the second round and we've already played 14 games.' The body's beat up and you're giving everything you have. But whether it's Game 7, Game 6 or Game 4, it's never easy to lose in the playoffs."

After Cincy's win Monday night, the home team has claimed victory in 10 of the 13 Game 7's in ECHL history (77%).