HOLTY’S BLOG: BACK FOR MORE

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The post-All Star Break blog is always a good one. I’m refreshed and ready to get after it. Condors only play eight games in 33 days, so everyone should be rested and ready to go. It’s a big, albeit lacking in games, month of February.

You may like non-busy months, and that’s fine, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

– News made yesterday on three fronts. First, G Eddie Pasquale was traded by Edmonton to Tampa Bay and assigned to Syracuse.

– Second, RW Ty Loney and G Nic Riopel were both acquired by the Condors from Syracuse (AHL).

– Third, G Laurent Brossoit was recalled by Edmonton, because Cam Talbot is sick and won’t dress tonight.

– What’s it all mean Holty? Well, it means the Condors had two men’s league goaltenders at practice today.

– What else does it mean? Loney is coming to Bakersfield and will wear 37. He had nine points (4g-5a) with Chicago last season. He’ll get a good look here during the stretch run. Riopel isn’t coming to Bakersfield, but unclear if he’s going to Wichita (ECHL).

– So who’s in net? Well, nothing has been announced officially, but if Brossoit is in Edmonton and Riopel isn’t coming, then that only leaves two options who have Oilers contracts for the Condors to have in goal and on the bench Friday night. #HoltySpoiler it won’t be Scott Hay and James Buchanan.

– We unveiled the 32-player “Mr. Condor” bracket today. You can vote once a day, per device, with each round lasting a week. It will lead into an Alumni Event for fans on Thursday evening February 22.

– Already heard from a former Condor who wasn’t pleased he may have to face Josh Currie in the second round. Them are the breaks!

– It was interesting hearing different folks opinions on different eras. We’ve already had over 1,400 votes on the app so it’s clearly contentious! I think it depends on what age you were when you saw a certain guy play.

– Ty Rattie was a great representative for the Condors at the AHL All-Star Classic in Utica this week.

– Also out of Utica, David Andrews said that there will be a little realignment next season with the addition of Colorado to the Pacific Division. Just look at a map and you can figure out which two teams will leave the Pacific Division for the Central and which team will leave the Central for the Eastern Conference to balance the conferences. I’d expect the divisional playoff system to continue as well.

– There are still tickets available for Tip A Condor on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. at The Padre. Always a fun environment as the players serve you dinner. You can buy them here or call 324-PUCK (7825)

– LOCK OF THE WEEK? It’s Super Bowl week. Or as “we” like to say, “just another Sunday in New England.” Of course I’m pulling for Number Six, but I won’t give a prediction for that. I do like the under 48.5 simply because there’s a lot of sitting around in the Super Bowl. AND I’ll bet that the Patriots end their streak of not scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a Super Bowl in the Bill & Tom Era. Either way, it’ll be a fun day.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is the voice of the Condors in his 7th season. Watching the Pats in the Super Bowl never gets old. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to RHolt@bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.