How Sweep it is! Condors Win Third Straight, 4-3

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors (22-37-4-3, 51pts) won their third straight on the weekend, receiving 40 saves from netminder Bryan Pitton and toppled the Las Vegas Wranglers (39-22-1-4, 83pts), 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Orleans Arena. D Josh Van Dyk scored the game-winner on the power play in the third period.

LW Jesse Gimblett picked up goal number 15 on the season after a feed from F Peter Boyd found the back of the net to give the Condors a 1-0 lead at 5:36 of the first period. The Wranglers answered with F Thomas Kiriakou stuffing a shot from in tight past Pitton at 12:25 to tie the game at 1-1. The period ended that way as the Condors were outshot, 12-11.

With LW Kyle Calder in the penalty box for two minutes, C Casey Pierro-Zabotel struck shorthanded, blasting a hard shot off an endboards carom into the top portion of the net to put the Condors back in front 2-1, 7:19 into the second period. Las Vegas equalized with F Jeff Hazelwood sliding a rebound past Pitton to make it 2-2 at 14:52. However, the Condors would regain their lead late in the period when C Parker Stanfield tipped a D Justin Pender drive from the point to make it 3-2 as the teams headed to the break. Las Vegas outshot Bakersfield, 11-9.

The third period belonged to the Wranglers as they fired 20 shots at Pitton and pinned the Condors back in their own end. But, it would be the Condors who took advantage on a power play when Van Dyk’s slap shot from the blue line beat Wranglers G Mitch O’Keefe up high for a 4-2 lead at 14:17. The two-goal advantage was trimmed to one, 13 seconds later, when F Sean Wiles capitalized on an odd-man rush to make it 4-3. Pitton shined the rest of the way though making clutch saves down the stretch as the Condors won their third straight, 4-3. The Wranglers outshot the Condors, 20-3 in the third. 

Condors Droppings:  

The Condors return home to host the Colorado Eagles Wednesday night at 7 p.m. That night, bring a pair of new or gently used jeans to donate at the game and get in for just $1, sponsored by Goodwill Industries. Also, all high school and college students can purchase a lower level ticket for just a buck by presenting their valid student ID at the box office, sponsored by 92.5 La Campesina.

Those affected by the unemployment crisis can receive free admission for up to four (4) people by presenting their notice of unemployment from the Employment Development Department of California at the box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10-6 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10-4 p.m.