HOLTY’S BLOG: ALL BUSINESS

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Success is a fickle thing. When you’re on a tear, it feels like you can overcome anything. But, on the flip side, when you get in a rut, it feels like everything goes against you. The one thing about this Condors team that I’ve enjoyed is their ability to park losses and wins equally. It’s a very even keel team that just goes about its business every day.

So with that, let’s call this the “just business” blog. You may want fun Holty and we may mix that in, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want.

Now for the blog…

– When I think workmanlike effort night in and night out, I think of Josh Currie and Iiro Pakarinen first. Lo and behold, they scored both goals last night. Let’s start with Currie. His 9th of the season, second on the team, and he is the team-leader in points since Dec. 1.

– Pakarinen’s overtime goal was the team’s first of the season. It was also his fifth straight game with a goal, a new Condors AHL record. Also, the longest current streak in the AHL.

– Last night was another fantastic defensive performance from the Condors. Sure, Laurent Brossoit gets 3rd star honors, and he was solid, especially in the second period, but it was a group effort. Texas, one of the better offenses around, was held in check and not given much room to enter the zone.

– I say group effort, because the D actually started with the Condors tenacious forecheck. It’s the bread and butter of this team. It’s aggressive and when effective, suffocates opposing D. When this team is good in the face-off dot, which they were in the latter stages of the game, they’re nearly impossible to break up in the attacking zone.

– Nice having Bakersfield native and top pitching prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization Corbin Burnes on the broadcast last night. Interview is below. Good luck to him this season as he looks to make the big club out of Spring Training

– Two new teams come to Condorstown this weekend. Let’s start with Friday’s opponent, the Chicago Wolves. They’re led by Rocky Thompson, who was an assistant coach with Gerry Fleming in Oklahoma City (check out the fight below), and feature Outdoor Classic hero Griffin Reinhart on the blue line. Maxime Lagace, an ECHL Condors alum, just lost for the first time in 11 games. He’s having a nice season and spent a lot of time with Vegas early in the year.

– On the flip side, Ty Rattie was an all-star with the Wolves a couple seasons back and Brad Malone spent time in Rosemont last season

– Saturday is our first look at Rockford, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. I have nothing of note on their team other than Kevin Bartl was the first radio guy for the then United Hockey League IceHogs and helped design the mascot, Hammy.

– Bakersfield’s six-game point streak matches the longest of the AHL era (6-0-0 last Feb/March)

– The coaching staff has preached offense by committee this season. They’ve stressed the fact that the team may not have as much high end skill as others, but that when your number is called, it’s an opportunity to make a difference. Joe Gambardella slid into the lineup Saturday, had the game-winner, and then assisted on last night’s overtime goal. That’s what the coaching staff means.

– LOCK OF THE WEEK? I’ll give you my four picks for the Divisional Round. Atlanta (-2.5), New England (-14), Jacksonville (+8.5), and New Orleans (+5). I actually think the Saints win that game.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is the voice of the Condors in his 7th season. He’s never been to Iowa nor Chicago, but is looking forward to the Italian Beefs. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to RHolt@bakersfieldcondors.com