Condors fight off Stockton for 5-4 shootout win

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Condors fight off Stockton for 5-4 shootout win
Close out the weekend by hosting the Aces on Saturday

Bakersfield, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors (3-2-0-0, 6pts) fought off a four-goal rally by the Stockton Thunder (2-1-1-1, 6pts) to earn a 5-4 shootout victory in front of 3,939 fans at Rabobank Arena Friday night.

For the fourth time in their first five games, the Condors struck first to gain the early lead. RW Carter Smith put home his second goal of the season by knocking home a rebound at the 6:48 mark. F Andrew recapIaniero added to the Condors lead less than two minutes later. C Adam Naglich looked to center the puck to RW Pascal Morency but the puck deflected to Ianiero, who squeezed the shot through the five-hole of Thunder netminder Tyson Sexsmith.

The Condors added to their lead just 2:58 into the second period when RW Erick Lizon tipped a shot fired by D Evan Stoflet over the shoulder of Sexsmith. Exactly five minutes later, new Condors RW Vladimir Nikiforov popped home a power play goal on a nice feed from Naglich as the Condors skated into the second intermission with a four goal lead.

Stockton found their legs in the third period when they rallied to tie the game. RW Jim McKenzie started the comeback with his first of the night at 2:42. C Chris D’Alvise and McKenzie then scored just 46 seconds apart later in the frame to make it a one-goal game. D’Alvise had a chance to tie it up on a penalty shot at 8:26 of the third, only to hit the post and keep it a one-goal game. But LW Jason Pitton notched the equalizer with less than two minutes remaining to force overtime.

Neither team scored in OT, but in the shootout Bakersfield received goals from Nikiforov, F Rylan Kaip and LW Mika Suoraniemi to salt away the win.

To see the box score, click here.

Notes from the Nest:

RW Pascal Morency has two fights in two games with his new team… The Condors were held to just one shot in the third period… Naglich has a point in four straight games (1g-4a)… The win puts Bakersfield into a tie for the division lead with Stockton… Bakersfield goaltenders have stopped 13 of 19 penalty shots faced in team history, and are 3-for-3 against Stockton shooters… Power plays: BAK-1/4, STK-0/3… Three stars: 1. V. Nikiforov (BAK); 2. A. Naglich (BAK); 3. J. Pitton (STK).

Get Tickets:

The Condors finish the weekend with a Saturday night battle against the Alaska Aces tomorrow night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the puck drops at 7 p.m. Saturday night is Twilight Night at Rabobank Arena sponsored by 106.1 KRAB Radio. Fans dressing as their favorite Twilight character have a chance to win tickets to see U2 in Anaheim, and there will be a regular costume contest as well with $106 on the line. To see the promotional video, click here. To get tickets, visit the Rabobank Arena Box Office or call Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. You can also visit ticketmaster.com. For more information, call the Condors at 324-PUCK(7825), or visit www.bakersfieldcondors.com.