GAME RECAP: Condors 5, Ontario 2

CONDORSTOWN, Calif.  – The Bakersfield Condors (38-17-3-1; 81pts) dropped their magic number to clinch a playoff berth to one in a 5-2 victory over the Ontario Reign (22-29-6-2; 53pts) on Wednesday. C Luke Esposito scored twice and three other Condors recorded multi-point nights.
The Condors can clinch a playoff berth on Friday with either a point against San Diego OR if the Tucson / Colorado game ends in regulation, regardless of winner. Bakersfield now holds an eight point lead on the division with eight games remaining in the regular season.
FIRST PERIOD

  • CONDORS GOAL: C Luke Esposito (4th) banged home his own rebound; Assist: Stukel; Time of goal: 1:29; BAK leads, 1-0
  • CONDORS GOAL: C Mitch Callahan (14th) off a double deflection in front; Assists: Gust, Benson; Time of goal: 14:39; BAK leads, 2-0
  • CONDORS GOAL: RW Logan Day (7th) off a break at the top of the crease; Assists: Marody, Benson; Time of goal: 15:58; BAK leads, 3-0
  • SHOTS: BAK – 17, ONT – 4
SECOND PERIOD

  • CONDORS GOAL: D Caleb Jones (6th) from the left-wing circle on the power play; Assists: Vesel, Hebig; Time of goal: 4:09; BAK leads, 4-0
  • REIGN GOAL: RW Matt Luff (10th) on a rebound; Assists: Moulson, Maillet; Time of goal: 8:06; BAK leads, 4-1
  • CONDORS GOAL: Esposito (5th) with his second of the night on a wraparound; Assists: Hebig, Stukel; Time of goal: 18:25; BAK leads, 5-1
  • SHOTS: BAK- 10 , ONT – 10
THIRD PERIOD

  • REIGN GOAL: D Cliff Watson (2nd) off a deflected shot; Assists: Rymsha, Wyszomirski; Time of goal: 19:49; BAK leads, 5-2
  • SHOTS: BAK- 2, ONT – 11
QUICK HITS
  • THREE STARS: 1. Esposito (BAK) 2. Callahan (BAK) 3. Hebig (BAK)
  • POWER PLAYS: BAK – 2/4 ;  ONT – 0/4
  • SHOTS ON GOAL: BAK – 29 ; ONT – 25
  • GOALTENDERS: BAK – Starrett (25-4-5; 25/23); ONT – Petersen (10-17-3; 29/24)
  • LW Tyler Benson (5g-10a) and C Cooper Marody (4g-9a) each extended point streaks to eight games in the win
  • C Mitch Callahan has a five-game point streak (2g-7a) and has 13 points (4g-9a) in nine games in March
  • RW Jakob Stukel has four points (2g-2a) in four games since being signed to PTO from Wichita
  • Bakersfield is 7-1-1 against Ontario this season
  • The Condors are 22-2-2 in their last 26 games
  • Earlier today C Brad Malone was placed on waivers by Edmonton
  • Bakersfield is in San Diego on Friday and hosts San Jose on Saturday
  • Scratches:  Russell, Manning, Yamamoto, Montoya