Condors use perfect shootout to topple the Thunder, 5-4

STOCKTON Calif. – Facing adversity in many forms throughout the evening, the Bakersfield Condors (6-12-1-2, 15pts) clawed their way to a 5-4 shootout victory over the rival Stockton Thunder (11-5-2-1, 25pts) on Saturday night at Stockton Arena. Bakersfield snapped a six-game winless streak and in the process sent the Thunder to their fourth straight loss.

The tone of the game was set from the opening faceoff as Condors F Liam Huculak and Thunder F Garet Hunt went toe-to-toe in an entertaining. punch-filled bout. Stockton would strike minutes later on the power play as F Phil Mangan scored from the right-wing circle for a 1-0 lead at the 2:59 mark. Bakersfield responded at 13:41 when C Robby Dee deflected a D Trevor Hendrikx shot past Thunder G Tyler Bunz on the power play to tie the game at 1-1. Bakersfield outshot the Thunder, 11-10.

Bakersfield wasted no time in the second period hopping on the Thuder and fired two past Bunz in the first 5:50 of the frame. First F Peter Boyd banged home a rebound at 5:04 on the power play for a 2-1 lead which was extended to 3-1 when F Alex Hudson scored off an odd-man rush just 46 seconds later. After a few late Condors penalties, the Thunder capitalized on the power play when Mangan scored his second of the night to make it 3-2 at 15:57 of the period. The Condors outshot Stockton, 12-8.

C Parker Stanfield extended the lead to 4-2 at 5:39 of the third period on the power play. However, the Thunder would respond with two goals, two minutes apart midway through the frame to tie the game at 4-4, forcing the game to overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, the teams headed to a shootout. Boyd, Dee, and C Levi Nelson each scored as Greenham denied three Thunder attempts and the Condors took the extra point with a 5-4 victory.

Tonight’s box score: click here

Condors droppings:

Tonight was meeting number five of 11 between the two Central Valley rivals. The next five contests between the two will take place in Bakersfield…The Condors are now 5-2 in shootouts this season. G Scott Greenham is a perfect 4-0 in shootouts, making 16 saves on 17 shots…C Peter Boyd scored in a shootout for the fifth time in six attempts this season, which leads the ECHL… D Olivier Dame-Malka was injured in the first period and was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures… The Condors scratched RW Tyler Brenner (inj.), F David Toews (inj.), F Brett Perlini (inj.) and F Nick Prockow (healthy)… Shots on goal: BAK – 35 , STK – 40 … Power plays: BAK- 3/4 , STK- 3/7 … Three Stars: #1 Dee (BAK), #2 Mangan (STK), #3 Riendeau (STK)

CONDORS IN SAN FRANCISCO WED. NIGHT

The Condors head to San Francisco for game two of a three-game road trip on Wednesday night at 7:15 p.m. Condors Countdown gets you going at 7:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Radio 970, www.foxsports970am.com, iheartradio app, or www.americaonesports.com.

Holiday 4-packs are on sale now and a perfect stocking stuffer for the person in your life who likes to have fun. Check out the plan to fit your needs by clicking here or calling 324-PUCK (7825).

The team returns home after three straight on the road to host Favorite Football Team Night, sponsored by 98.5 The Fox and Aera Energy. If fans wear their favorite NFL, college or high school jersey to the game, the number of wins that team has this season is the number of dollars your lower level ticket will cost. Or donate a coat at the game and get an upper level ticket for just $1. Fans can also hit the ice for a free skate with the team after the game.