GAME RECAP: Condors 5, Colorado 2

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors (3-1) won their first-ever AHL Calder Cup Playoffs series in front of a record crowd of 8,210 on Friday at Rabobank Arena. The 5-2 win over the Colorado Eagles (1-3) advanced the Condors to the Pacific Division Finals where they will meet the San Diego Gulls in a best-of-seven beginning in Bakersfield on Friday and Saturday. C Brad Malone had three points (1g-2a) as the Condors erased a second intermission deficit to close out the series. The crowd of 8,210 was the largest crowd ever to watch a Condors postseason game in the 21-year history of the organization.
SERIES SCHEDULE AND RESULTS:
Bakersfield wins series, 3-1
Game 1 – Bakersfield 3, COLORADO 2 (BAK leads, 1-0)
Game 2 – COLORADO 4, Bakersfield 1 (Series tied 1-1)
Game 3 – BAKERSFIELD 5, Colorado 2 (BAK leads, 2-1)
Game 4 – BAKERFSIELD 5, Colorado 2 (BAK wins, 3-1)

FIRST PERIOD

  • No scoring
  • SHOTS: BAK – 9, COL – 9
SECOND PERIOD

  • CONDORS GOAL: C Mitch Callahan (1st) on a breakaway; Assists: Benson, Bear; Time of goal: 4:03; BAK leads, 1-0
  • EAGLES GOAL: RW Matin Kaut (1st) off a turnover in tight; Unassisted; Time of goal: 8:16; Game tied, 1-1
  • EAGLES GOAL: Kaut (2nd) on a power play deflection with less than a second left; Assists: Greer, Bowers; Time of goal: 19:59; COL leads, 2-1
  • SHOTS: BAK- 10 , COL – 8
THIRD PERIOD

  • CONDORS GOAL: D Evan Bouchard (2nd) drive from the point on the power play; Unassisted; Time of goal: 2:23; Game tied, 2-2
  • CONDORS GOAL: RW Patrick Russell (2nd) on a shorthanded odd man rush; Assist: Malone; Time of goal: 9:05; BAK leads, 3-2
  • CONDORS GOAL: C Brad Malone (2nd) redirected a point shot; Assists: Lagesson, Benson; Time of goal: 10:54; BAK leads, 4-2
  • CONDORS GOAL: C Luke Esposito (1st) empty-net goal; Assists: Malone, Lowe; Time of goal: 19:07; BAK leads, 5-2
  • SHOTS: BAK- 9, COL – 9
QUICK HITS
  • THREE STARS: 1. Malone (BAK) 2. Russell (BAK) 3. Callahan (BAK)
  • POWER PLAYS: BAK – 1/3 ; COL – 1/5
  • SHOTS ON GOAL: BAK – 31; COL – 26
  • GOALTENDERS: BAK – Starrett (3-1; 26/24); COL – Francouz (1-3; 30/26)
  • C Brad Malone registered three points (1g-2a) and led the Condors with five points (2g-3a) in the series
  • RW Patrick Russell (2g-2a) had four points in the series and was +5
  • D Evan Bouchard scored for the second straight game and has four points (2g-2a) in two games
  • D William Lagesson finished with three points (1g-2a) in four games in the series
  • LW Tyler Benson had two assists
  • It was the Condors first-ever AHL Calder Cup series victory
  • Scratches: Skinner, Montoya, Hebig, Yamamoto, Labrie, Vesey, Stukel, Christoffer, Kulevich, Manning