Pitton Sensational as Condors Shutout Utah, 1-0

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – Bakersfield Condors (10-27-3-1, 24pts) G Bryan Pitton was incredible, making 38 saves in between the pipes as the offense did just enough to sneak out a hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Utah Grizzlies (17-19-0-4, 38pts) on Friday night at the Maverik Center. The offense came in the form of C Aaron Lewadniuk’s second period tally.

Bryan Pitton Post-Game Interview on CondorsTV

The first period went scoreless, but it did not lack in physical play. With tempers boiling, D Tyson Gimblett dropped the mitts with D Tysen Dowzak with just over two minutes remaining in the period. Both teams recorded nine shots.

D Keith Wynn fought for the second time this season early in the second, sticking up for fallen teammate D Ryan Annesley who took a high elbow. The play resulted in a five-minute major power play that the Condors did not convert on. Bakersfield would break the ice though, as C Aaron Lewadniuk scored his first as a Condor on a backhanded shot from the slot at the 13:30 mark. The score remained that way through two periods. Shots were 8-6 in favor of the Grizzlies.

The third period was all Utah as they peppered Pitton to the tune of 21 shots, but the Condors netminder stood tall and stopped them all to preserve a 1-0 victory. The Condors finished the game down two men after they took a penalty and the Grizzlies pulled G Andrew Engelage. Shots in the third were 21-2 for Utah.

Click here for the box score

Condors Droppings:

D Erik Burgdoerfer played in his 100th professional game, all with Bakersfield…C Robby Dee was loaned to Abbotsford (AHL) earlier in the day…F Parker Stanfield dressed for the first time in nine games…F Hans Benson served the first of a two-game suspension handed down by the ECHL…It was G Bryan Pitton’s third shutout of his professional career…The Condors last shutout came from G Matt Keetley (4-0 at AK) on Nov. 2, 2011..The 21 shots allowed in the 3rd period was the most of any period this season for the Condors…F Tyler Helfrich saw his five-game point streak come to an end… Shots on goal: BAK- 17, UTA- 38… PP: BAK 0/3, UTA 0/5… Three Stars: 1. Pitton (BAK), 2. Lewadniuk (BAK), 3. McIlveen (UTA).

Six-Game Homestand on Tap:

The Condors host the Alaska Aces on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and face the Ontario Reign on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28. Friday’s game is Toothbrush Giveaway, sponsored by Hot Hits 93.1 and Smileworld Dental and Saturday’s game features the ZOOperstars, sponsored by ABC23, 101.5 KGFM, and Mercy & Memorial Hospitals.

Get Tickets

Pick-4 Plans are on sale now, featuring the most sought-after games for the second half of the season, starting at just $32. For more information or to reserve your tickets call 324-PUCK (7825) today.

Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena box office by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on gamedays. For more information on ticket packages, exciting promotions, and to sign up for the Kids Club for just $10, log on towww.bakersfieldcondors.com.

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