HOLTY’S BLOG: INVADING ANAHEIM

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The last (and only) time I saw a Stanley Cup Playoffs game was in 2011 at TD Garden. Boston lost to Montreal and fell in a 2-0 series hole, only to win in seven games and go on to win the Stanley Cup.

Flash forward six years, a few cross country moves, a changing of allegiances, and I found myself on the right side of a 4-3 win last night in Anaheim.

You may be a Condors fan AND a Ducks fan, and that’s fine (not really, I’m just being nice), but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

– What a game last night and a great showing of support from Oilers fans as well. The place was overrun with Edmonton fans.

– … And Condors fans.

– The strong play of former Condors carried over into Game 1. Leon Draisaitl had four points and Anton Slepyshev created the most scoring opportunities of anyone in the first two periods.

– Also thought Matthew Benning and Darnell Nurse had strong games on the blue line and they led the team with six and four hits respectively despite playing the fewest minutes of any D pair.

– Was really disappointed at your lack of press box food tweets. Yeah, I know. I feel like I let a lot of people down. There were two sides of the press box. Our side had popcorn and hard candy. I’m not a candy guy. On my way over in the first intermission to see some Oilers staff along with the Condors coaching staff, I found out that on the other side there was pizza, M&Ms, and cheez-its. Now we’re talkin’.

– Holty, catch me up to speed, who’s under contract for next season as it stands right now?

– FORWARDS: Jesse Puljujarvi, Patrick Russell, Kyle Platzer, Greg Chase, Braden Christoffer, Joe Gambardella, Ryan Hamilton (AHL contract)

– DEFENSE: Mark Fayne, Ryan Mantha, Ben Betker, Ziyat Paigin, Caleb Jones, Ethan Bear

– GOALTENDERS: Nick Ellis, Shane Starrett

I included Jones and Bear because they figure to turn pro next season. Starrett left college and signed with the Oilers so he figures to turns pro next season as well.

– So who’s not on the list? Of NHL contracts, Joey LaLeggia (restricted free agent), Dillon Simpson (restricted free agent), Jordan Oesterle (unrestricted free agent), Mark Fraser (unrestricted free agent), Jonas Gustavsson (unrestricted free agent) and Justin Fontaine (unrestricted free agent) would have to be re-signed. If you don’t see a player listed, he was on an AHL contract and is an unrestricted free agent.

– OK, thanks for that Holty, I’m caught up to speed on what the team would look like next season! Hold that thought, we’ll have some player announcements next week.

– Lock of the week? St. Louis comes back and wins that series against Nashville.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty wrapped year six in Condorstown. His offseason duties include finding a popcorn machine for the press box next year. If you know of anyone looking to part ways, send ’em his way. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.