Game Preview: Condors v. Thunder Tonight

TONIGHT
The Bakersfield Condors host the Stockton Thunder tonight in the first of a two-game series this weekend at Rabobank Arena. The Condors are 2-3-0-0 against the Thunder on the season, but have won each of the last two meetings. Eight games remain between the two clubs in the season series, including tonight’s game. Five of those will take place here in Condorstown.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Bakersfield is coming off their worst loss of the season, a 6-0 blanking at the hands of the Ontario Reign, which capped off a three-game road trip. The Condors went 1-1 in a two game series at Utah prior to New Year’s, picking up a 4-1 win on Dec. 31.

CONDORS NOTES
C Alex Hudson is expecting to make his professional debut tonight… F Tyler Helfrich (5 games) and C Robby Dee (5 games) both had scoring streaks snapped in Tuesday night’s loss… RW Scott Freeman leads all rookies with four game-winning goals. He is also tied for the league lead with four shorthanded goals… Newly acquired D Josh Van Dyk is expected to make his Condors debut Saturday night.

THUNDER NOTES
Stockton has two of the top eight players in penalty minutes in the league – F Garet Hunt (2nd) with 129 PIM and F Cameron Abney (8th) with 112 PIM… RW Kevin Baker is the only Thunder in double digits in goals (15)… Stockton’s victory in their last game on Dec. 31 snapped a six-game winless skid, which dated back to Dec. 10 vs. Bakersfield… The Thunder have given up three or more goals in eight straight games.

TRANSACTIONS
D Josh Van Dyk was acquired today from the Florida Everblades along with future considerations in exchange for LW Matt Marquardt… C Alex Hudson was signed today… LW Ian McKenzie was activated from the 21-day IR today… F Chris Kushneriuk (21-day) and F Michael Gergen (7-day) both remain on the injured reserve, though they are eligible to be activated.