HOLTY’S BLOG: WHAT YOU GUNNA DO?

/in , /by

“What you gonna do?”

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence zipped down a Miami freeway singing the Cops theme and it applies to the entire Condors weekend ahead.

You may not get the reference, but as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog and I’ll do what I want. Don’t worry, it’s explained later on.

Now for the blog…

– Eight games remain in the 2016-17 regular season. Let that sink in. After this weekend, the Condors have ONE home game left and it closes out the year. Bakersfield is in the driver’s seat. In control of their own destiny. One game at a time. (Insert any other clichés you want)

– To take it back to the theme of today’s blog, “what you gonna do?” Or better yet “what are the Condors going to do?” The team is now up two points on Stockton for the final playoff spot after a disappointing loss on Tuesday night against a struggling Manitoba team. How will the team respond this weekend in what’s sure to be tightly contested games against Ontario?

– Saturday is the annual Guns N Hoses game benefiting the Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation at 2 p.m. and then the Condors will wear specialty police jerseys for auction that night. Call Roger at 324-PUCK (7825) to purchase a special $20 ticket with a portion of the ticket proceeds benefiting the charities as well. You have to do it by the end of Friday. Half of my family is in law enforcement and I’m always thankful that there are people out there who would do something that brave, so please come support on Saturday.

– Plus, Ponch will be here!

– As Gerry Fleming noted in his post-game on Tuesday, Ryan Hamilton has begun skating this week and while he has not practiced with the team yet, Gerry mentioned that the Texas trip (we leave next Tuesday) is the projected timeframe for his return.

– Another note from his post-game is on the Oilers signing of college free agent Joe Gambardella from UMass-Lowell. While his two-year, entry-level contract does not kick in until next season, he’s expected to join the Condors on an ATO in the near future. He led the Riverhawks in scoring with 52 points in 41 games this season.

– In other prospect news, D Ethan Bear had five points last night for Seattle as they look prime to advance. So, I would not anticipate him coming at the end of the year. D Caleb Jones and the Portland Winterhawks are down 2-1 in their series and D Ryan Mantha and the Niagara IceDogs are down 3-0 with Game 4 tonight.

– Congrats as well to Condors d-man Bryce Aneloski who was named the team’s Man of the Year and is now a finalist for the league award. He’s always one of the first volunteers for any community event and has been an asset to the team.

– Just something to keep in the back of your mind, if the playoffs started today Bakersfield and Edmonton would face the same organization in the first round (San Jose). Obviously, a long way to go until then, but could potentially have all four teams in the same building during the same week.

– Speaking of #TheBosses – they clinched a playoff spot on Tuesday. Great to see after some trying years no doubt.

Until next time Condorstown…

Ryan Holt aka Holty is in his sixth season as Voice of the Condors. His favorite TV / Movie cop of all-time is Hondo from S.W.A.T the movie. His favorite fictional firefighter of all-time is Shadow (Robert De Niro) from Backdraft. Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or e-mail him rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments, or blog ideas.