COACHELLA VALLEY FIREBIRDS (4-2-0, 8pts) @ BAKERSFIELD CONDORS (4-1-0, 8pts)
The Condors host Patriotic Night looking to continue best start in the team’s AHL history
PUCK DROP: 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS
PROMOTION: Patriotic Night presented by 23ABC, 107.9 KUZZ, and SC Architect. The Condors will wear specialty USA themed jerseys with proceeds benefiting the Condors Community Foundation 501(c)(3). Click here to get your bids in online. Six jerseys will be auctioned live post-game in arena.
BROADCAST
Vote for the PCL Hardest Worker of the Game via the Condors mobile app, available wherever you download your apps from.
GOLDEN TICKET JERSEY RAFFLE: You can get your hands on the #25 Phil Kemp for just $30 in the Golden Ticket Raffle. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Winner announced at the game (do not need to present). Click here to purchase raffle tickets.
GAME TIME MAGAZINE: Click here to get your Game Time Magazine digital download.
GAME PREVIEW presented by Rodriguez & Associates
The Condors are off to their best start in AHL history at 4-1-0 and look for their fourth straight win.
LOOKING BACK
Bakersfield has had a week off since sweeping Tucson with a 5-1 win on Saturday. Raphael Lavoie had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick and registered his second multi-goal game of the week. Olivier Rodrigue earned his second win in as many starts.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
A week of idleness did not translate to the transaction ledger as wingers Adam Erne and Cameron Wright joined the team from Edmonton and Fort Wayne respectively. Wingers Sam Gagner and Raphael Lavoie were both recalled while d-man Philip Broberg was loaned by Edmonton to Bakersfield.
AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK HEADS NORTH
Lavoie’s call-up to Edmonton came after earning AHL Player of the Week honors with six points (4g-2a) in three games last week. It is the first call-up of his professional career and he’s expected to make his NHL debut later today against Nashville. Should he play, he will be the 20th Condors player in the AHL era to make their debuts with Edmonton and the 16th since 2018 alone.
LOCKDOWN
The Condors are allowing a league low 1.60 goals against per game and have surrendered just six even strength goals against through five contests. Olivier Rodrigue leads the AHL with a .968 save percentage through the early part of the season.
BIG ERNE
Adam Erne is expected to make his Condors debut tonight. The former second round pick of Tampa Bay has over 500 pro games at the AHL and NHL levels to his name and helped Syracuse advance to the 2017 Calder Cup Finals.
HAMMERED
James Hamblin had a nice weekend last weekend with goals in back-to-back games and three points (2g-1a) overall. He is second on the team in scoring with five points (3g-2a) in five games.
KILLIN IT
The Condors penalty kill has started 17/19 (89.5%) on the season and is fifth among AHL units.
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Much like the Condors, it has been a light early portion of the schedule for the Firebirds who ride a three-game winning streak into action tonight. Over those three games, the team has exploded for 21 goals, including two, eight-goal performances. 2022 fourth overall pick Shane Wright paces the team with four goals through six games.
UP NEXT
The Condors head North for eight days and four games with Abbotsford and Calgary. The action begins against the Canucks on Thursday at 7 p.m. on AM 800 Fox Sports Radio, AHLTV, and the iHeartRadio App.
