Condors rally but fall in OT, 4-3
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – D Steve Ward scored on the power play in overtime as the Alaska Aces (15-4-1-1) fought off a third-period rally by the Bakersfield Condors (5-14-3-0, 13pts) to win 4-3 in front of 5,122 fans at Rabobank Arena Saturday night.
A physical opening period saw Alaska take a 1-0 lead. The Condors threw their weight around with some big hits and dropped the mitts on three different occasions late in the frame. But it was 
C Tyler Ruegsegger chipping in a knuckling shot on the man-advantage in the final minute of the period to take the lead.
When F Gary Nunn lit the lamp early in the second the Aces had a commanding 2-0 advantage. But F Michael Gergen rammed in a loose rebound a few minutes later to cut into the lead. At 12:38, however, the Aces regained their two-goal advantage, with F Nick Mazzolini lighting the lamp on a one-timer to make it 3-1.
The Condors tied the game up in the third to force overtime. D Erik Burgdoerfer scored at 6:28 on the power play to pull within a goal. Then at 9:52 C Mathew Sisca snapped home a rebound of a F Chris Kushneriuk shot to tie the game and send the crowd into a frenzy. It was the second time in the last three meetings the Aces and Condors needed OT.
In the extra session, Ward’s slapper on the power play proved to be the difference, as the Aces spoiled Bakersfield’s attempt to get in the win column for a 10th straight game.
Matt O’Dette post-game comments on CondorsTV
Condors Droppings:
The Condors and Aces combined for 67 penalty minutes in a game that included four fights… The Condors winless skid extended the team record to ten games (0-8-2-0)… Gergen (1g-1a) and Kushneriuk (0g, 2a) both had multi-point games for Bakersfield… Final Shots: BAK – 33; AK – 28… Power plays: BAK-1/6; AK-2/5… Three stars: 1. Gergen (BAK); 2. Kushneriuk (BAK); 3. Sisca (BAK).
Pocoyo coming to Condorstown
The Condors are back in action against their Central Valley rivals, the Stockton Thunder, next Friday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. That night, Pocoyo will be at the game to meet the kids and pose for pictures in the Condors Photo Booth, courtesy of Univision and La Caliente 96.9. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Tune in to all the action on Fox Sports Radio 970 AM, www.foxsports970am.com, or through the iheartradio app. In addition, the game will be streamed live through the official pay-per-view provider of the ECHL, www.americaone.com.
Holiday 4-Pack Plans are a great gift for those that like to have fun and need the perfect stocking stuffer for the Holidays! Plans start at just $32. For more information or to reserve your tickets call 324-PUCK (7825) today.
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