HOLTY’S BLOG: BATTLE TOGETHER

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It’s a Thursday Travel Day blog as the Condors get set to head to down The 99, on to The 5, out The 210, down The 57, and East on The 10 to get to San Bernardino County. Friend of the blog Aaron Perlman (@AaronsWeather) says we can expect 60 MPH winds in the Grapevine. Sounds fun.

Hey we need the rain. You may like constant sunshine 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…

– We still in this thing, Holty? You bet. I know it looks REALLY confusing right now. I get it. But, bear with me. The Condors are the points percentage equivalent of six points behind Texas for the 4th spot in the Pacific Division. Texas and San Antonio play each other four times down the stretch, including two this weekend. Just root for regulation and whichever team is in fourth to lose.

– You have to give this Condors team credit. All I hear about is the lack of skill, the lack of scoring, and the lack of personnel after call-ups. Yet, this group is three games over .500 for the first time since early January, is 6-2-2 in 10 games, and erased THREE deficits this past weekend to win two games in regulation.

– I’ve said all along that I think 76 points is the number to get the Condors in the playoffs. That means 16 points over the final 11 games, however you want to slice it. Basically 8-3-0. It would mean the Condors would finish the season 14-5-2. Remember, the Heat went UNBEATEN (7-0-3-1) in 11 games to close last season to shock the Condors and steal the 4th spot. It can be done.

– Talked with Tony Borgford last night about this past weekend and what it meant especially to go into San Diego Saturday and come away with a win like that. It’s off the top of my head, so don’t quote me, but I believe it was just the third San Diego loss when they led after one period in TWO seasons.

– The comeback win also created a new hashtag thanks to Gulls Head Coach Dallas Eakins saying the Condors stayed on the Gulls like a “bad stink” #StinkyCondors

– What did goalie Laurent Brossoit think after San Diego raced out to a 2-0 lead after 30 seconds? “I thought if we were in that situation, it would be really tough to defend a two-goal lead for 59 minutes.” More in his Insider interview below.

– The Condors didn’t get AHL Player of the Week honors (tough to argue with TJ Hensick’s week), but Josh Currie and Patrick Russell each had six point weeks. Currie toppled the 100-point plateau in his AHL Condors era and Russell is up to 12 goals in his second season. Those are all even strength or shorthanded as well. He calls himself a “grinder,” but he deserves a ton of credit for getting to 12 goals with almost zero power play time.

– Who are these new guys Holty? Three Oilers draft picks, winger Ostap Safin, center Tyler Vesel, and goalie Dylan Wells all joined the Condors this week following the completion of junior seasons in the case of Safin and Wells and a college career in the case of Vesel. Safin and Wells are signed for next season and beyond while Vesel, though drafted by Edmonton, remains unsigned. All three are familiar with everyone in that dressing room and the coaching staff from years of development camps and the like.

– Saw a bunch of transactions with Edmonton this week, who’s still here and who’s gone? Dillon Simpson went up and came back. Brad Malone is currently up. The Oilers play tonight, so it’s possible we could see Malone on the weekend. If not, the Condors now have some cover with Safin and Vesel. Vesel is a centerman.

– One note on Edmonton, how about the three-point weekend for Ty Rattie? Craig MacTavish talked to fans recently noting that Ty deserves every opportunity to show what he can do at the NHL level. He’s unsigned for next season and I think is an interesting case. I think people forget how young he is because he has a ton of experience, but he just turned 25. A ton of hockey left for him.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is the Voice of the Condors in his 7th season. Hopefully you didn’t follow any of his March Madness selections. He’s in a historic drought. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail RHolt@bakerfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.