Condors dump Vegas 6-3, clinch playoff spot
Bakersfield slated for the seventh seed in the National Conference

LAS VEGAS - LW Mark Derlago recorded his third hat trick of the season to pace the Bakersfield Condors to a 6-3 trouncing of the Las Vegas Wranglers in front of 5,557 at the Orleans Arena Friday night. The victory not only secures a playoff spot for the Condors, but ensures they will finish seventh in the conference.

Las Vegas (46-13-12, 104pts) drew first blood with a fortuitous redirection at 12:32 of the first period. A centering feed by C Adam Miller deflected in off a Condors stick and past G Yutaka Fukufuji. Bakersfield (26-37-9, 61pts) bounced back with two of their own in the frame. D Jay Langager rifled home his third of the season, on the power play at 17:47. Derlago made it 2-1 with his 37th of the season at 19:17. Las Vegas managed just two shots in the period.

Miller's second of the night early in the second frame tied the score again, but Bakersfield reeled off two more to make it a 4-2 lead after two. F Tim Konsorada scored with the man advantage off a feed from Derlago at 9:27. Later, LW Chris Di Ubaldo sent home his eighth of the season in the final minute of the period. Bakersfield scored in the final minute of all three periods tonight.

Derlago extended the lead with his second of the night and 38th of the season just 1:11 into the final stanza. Vegas rallied with a breakaway goal by veteran LW Shawn Limpright at 8:50 to cut the lead back to two, but its as close as they would get. Derlago finished off the hat trick burying his 39th of the season into the empty net to account for the final score. Bakersfield finished with the lead in shots, 35-19.

To view the complete box score from tonight's game, click here.

Notes from The Nest:
LW Mark Derlago broke a 13-year old franchise rookie record with his 37th goal of the season, originally set by Steve Dowhy in 1995-96. The goal was also his 54th point of the season, setting a new Condors rookie record as well (Lars-Peder Nagel, 2004-05). Derlago became the first Condor ever to have three hat tricks in a single season.

Playoff Tickets go on sale
Individual game tickets:for the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs go on sale Tuesday, April 8 at 10 a.m. at the Rabobank Arena Box Office, which is open from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on game days. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 322-2525, online at www.bakersfieldcondors.com, or at any Ticketmaster location.

Playoff 4-Packs:Don't wait until April 8 to purchase your Condors playoff tickets! Playoff 4-packs allow fans to reserve the same great seats for each of the first four Condors home games during the 2008 Kelly Cup Playoffs, as well as save money. Playoff 4-Packs start at just $28; for more information, contact the Condors office at 324-PUCK (7825).

10 for $10:For the playoffs, fans can purchase 10 lower bowl for $10 each ($100). Minimum purchase to qualify for this price is tickets per game. Fans can purchase these for games 3, 4, 5 of the first round. If we don't play game 5, fans would be refunded or credited for tickets for the next round at their choosing. Deadline for this incredible group deal is Thursday, April 10. These are advance group purchases and must be done through the Condors sales department - this offer will not be available at the box office. After April 10, standard group rates apply.

Upcoming Games:
The Condors will host Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) of their opening round matchup, with Game 3 coming on either Tuesday, April 15 or Wednesday, April 16. Stay tuned to bakersfieldcondors.com for complete details on opponents and game dates for the post-season.

All Condors games, home and away, can be heard on the all-new ESPN 1230AM with "Condors Countdown" starting 15 minutes prior to the drop of the puck.

Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings for the 2008-09 season are available at the Condors office located at 1001 Truxtun Avenue or by calling 324-PUCK (7825).