Eagles take down Bakersfield, 3-1

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The G Kyle Jones made 41 saves to lead the Colorado Eagles (21-12-0-4, 46pts) to a 3-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors (9-25-3-1, 22pts) in front of 4,725 at Rabobank Arena Saturday night.

Highlights from tonight’s game

Despite a heavy shot advantage in the first for the Condors, it was the Eagles picking up the first goal of the game. F Aaron Slattengren notched his sixth of the season on just the second shot of the game to start the scoring. Bakersfield fired 16 shots at G Kyle Jones but he was equal to the task.

Early in the second the Eagles bested G Bryan Pitton again, with F Kevin Ulanski scoring just 1:57 into the frame to extend the lead. Bakersfield answered quickly, however, with D Tyson Gimblett picking up his first professional tally, firing a backhander home at 5:09. The Condors escaped the frame down by a goal.

The Eagles and Condors continued to battle in the third, while the shots piled up on both sides. The goaltenders held the game close until a turnover just outside the Bakersfield blueline led to a quick rush for the Eagles, and a goal by the ECHL’s leading scorer F Chad Costello with just over two minutes left in regulation. It’s all Jones needed, as the visitor’s earned a split in the weekend series.

Matt O’Dette’s post-game comments

Click here for the box score

Condors Droppings:

F Tyler Helfrich and F Alex Hudson both picked up assists tonight to extend their point streaks to three games… Bakersfield held the Colorado power play off the board in both games… This is the 22nd loss by two or less for the Condors… This was the third time in the last seven games the Condors had 40+ shots… Shots on goal: BAK- 42, COL – 30… PP: BAK 0/4, COL 0/3… Three Stars: 1. Ulanski (COL), 2. Jones (COL), 3. T. Gimblett (BAK).

Road Trip this week for the Condors
The Condors head out on the road for three games this week –  at Ontario (1 p.m.) on Monday and at Utah on Thursday and Friday (both 6:05 p.m.). They return for a six game home stand at the tail end of January through early February.They host the Alaska Aces on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and host the Ontario Reign on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28. Friday’s game is Toothbrush Giveaway, sponsored by Hot Hits 93.1 and Saturday’s game features the ZOOperstars, sponsored by ABC23, 101.5 KGFM, and Mercy & Memorial Hospitals.

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 to www.bakersfieldcondors.com.