GAME PREVIEW presented by Rodriguez & Associates

The Bakersfield Condors and Coachella Valley Firebirds meet for the eighth and final time this season with Bakersfield owning a 4-2-1 record through the opening seven games.

LOOKING BACK

Bakersfield shutout San Diego last night, 5-0, thanks to 28 saves from goaltender Collin Delia. James Hamblin had four points and Rhett Pitlick had three assists.

THE SITUATION

Bakersfield enters tonight one point back of Tucson for the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division. The Condors have a game in hand (Wednesday versus Abbotsford).

The Condors remaining schedule includes two with Henderson and one each with Coachella Valley and Abbotsford. Tucson is in Rockford tonight and closes with two at home with Colorado.

(Click here for the playoff primer)

A TRIO OF HELPERS

Rhett Pitlick was signed to an ATO Monday and had three assists last night, his first professional points. The 24-year old was drafted in the 5th round of the 2019 NHL Draft by Montreal. He had 40 points (13g-27a) in 39 games with Minnesota State-Mankato after spending three seasons at the University of Minnesota. He is a cousin of former Condors forward Tyler Pitlick.

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR FIRST 

Josh Prokop scored his first professional goal last night as part of a one goal, one assist night. Prokop has three points (1g-2a) in six games this season.

ON THE MARK

Kyle Mayhew scored his first AHL goal last night giving him a goal and six assists for seven points in 12 games with the Condors. The Anaheim native was named to the All-ECHL First Team earlier in the week.

COLLIN’S DEAL

Collin Delia recorded his second shutout of the season last night. In back-to-back wins, the veteran netminder has stopped 62 of 64 shots (.969 save percentage).

HAMMER TIME

James Hamblin has six points (3g-3a) in two games this week, including a career-high four points last night. He has 42 points (19g-23a) in 47 games, is +21, and leads the team with seven power-play goals.

OLLIE RETURNS

Olivier Rodrigue was returned back to Bakersfield after making his first NHL start on Monday, stopping 18 of 21 in a loss at Anaheim. Rodrigue is 4-1-1 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .941 save percentage against Coachella Valley.

MAN DOWN

The Condors had 12 players out of the lineup last night due to injury and were forced to play a man short as Connor Carrick was held out due to illness.

SAVVY SIZZLE 

Matthew Savoie picked up an assist last night. He is t-5th in the league rookie scoring race with 49 points (18g-31a) in 62 games. He has six points (2g-4a) in seven games against the Firebirds.

D-MATS OFF TO CHELLA

Daniel D’Amato scored his ninth of the season last night. He paces the Condors with three goals and three assists in six games against Coachella Valley.

FIRE IT UP

The Condors are 4-2-1 overall against Coachella Valley and 6-3-2 on the road against the back-to-back defending Western Conference Champions. Coachella Valley had last night off and sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division, a point ahead of San Jose with a game in hand. There has been just one power play goal in 43 combined opportunities between the two teams.

UP NEXT

Bakersfield returns home to take on Abbotsford Wednesday (click here for tickets) and Friday against Henderson (click here for tickets).