A 5-1 November so far for the Condors is certainly something to be thankful for. With four more home games on this homestand and a trip to Abbotsford, there’s a chance to really make this a special month.
You may like long homestands, and that’s fine, but it definitely is a grind and as I’ll remind you, it’s my blog, and I’ll do what I want.
Now for the blog…
Long overdue, Andrew Ianiero will be placed into the newly minted Condors Hall of Fame on Friday. The team’s all-time leader in games played joins Paul Rosebush, Paul Willett, Jamie Cooke, Glen Mears, and Steve Dowhy. We’ll have a special ceremony during the first intermission for AI. I won’t spoil all the fun, but be sure to stay in your seats.
Sounds like the Condors avoided long-term disaster with Calvin Pickard, after he left the game early in the second period Tuesday night. Ollie Rodrigue has been terrific this season, so he’ll get the bulk of the work in the coming games with Ryan Fanti up from the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets.
Justin Bailey will make his Condors debut tomorrow night. A late signing in the offseason, he has 198 points in 296 games at the AHL level. I knew he had speed to burn, but didn’t realize just how big he is (6’4, 214). It comes at a great time for the Condors, who can use that speed element and experience to their advantage. Bailey has been set back by injuries the past couple of seasons, but he was excited to get going this weekend.
Carter Savoie needed over 10 stitches to close a pretty severe cut on his cheek on Tuesday. To be honest, it was behind the play and I only saw the end result, but he hit the back of a skate blade. Thankfully, not much worse, but the cut was pretty deep. In true hockey fashion, he was at practice Wednesday.
I have the opportunity to head up to Edmonton with Condors GM Keith Gretzky next week to take in the Oilers and Panthers before the Condors head to Abbotsford. I’ve never been, so Oilers fans, I’ll need some quick food recommendations and hopefully won’t freeze. It will be good to see so many familiar faces up there.
We are working on a really cool video series with Kern County Public Health called “Getting Healthy with the Condors.” Strength & Conditioning Coach Travis Lay and the players show off different exercises that they do and how it can be applied to the every day person. It’s a little glimpse into how much work these guys put in on a daily basis to get through a 72-game season.
Until next time Condorstown… see ya for $2 Beers tomorrow night!
Ryan Holt aka Holty is the voice of the Condors in his 12th season. Does he own a coat for an Edmonton trip? Follow him on Twitter @CondorsHolty for more nonsense or shoot him an e-mail to Rholt@bakersfieldcondors.com with questions, comments or blog ideas.
