Reign hold off Condors, 3-1

ONTARIO, Calif. – The Ontario Reign (20-13-2-2, 44pts) scored three times in the first period and made it stand up in a 3-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors (9-26-3-1, 22pts) in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matinee game at Citizens Business Bank Arena.

RW Tyler Helfrich got the afternoon off on the right foot with his sixth goal of the season, batting a puck off an endboards redirection and past Ontario G Chris Carrozzi to give the Condors a 1-0 lead. The goal came at the 5:40 mark and was assisted by D Erik Burgdoerfer and F Evan Trupp. Ontario owned the rest of the period though, scoring three consecutive times, including two from F Tristen King, to take a 3-1 lead with them into the break. Shots favored the Reign 12-5.

There was no scoring in the second period thanks in large part to a highlight-reel save from Condors G Bryan Pitton on F Bill Bagron late in the middle frame. The Condors outshot the Reign, 9-8.

Bakersfield had their chances in the third period, such as a three-on-one midway through the frame, and a point-blank chance by F Alex Hudson with just a few minutes left on the board, but Carrozzi and the Reign ‘D’ were there each time to deny them the rally. They withstood a 15-shot third period barrage from Bakersfield to take the win.

 

 

F Tyler Helfrich extended his point streak to four games (2g-2a)… F Evan Trupp made his Bakersfield debut and picked up an assist… G Matt Keetley backed up Bryan Pitton in his first game back from the AHL…Shots on goal: BAK- 29, ONT- 26… PP: BAK 0/5, ONT 1/5… Three Stars: 1. King (ONT), 2. Irwin (ONT), 3. Carrozzi (ONT).

Road Trip this week for the Condors

The Condors are in Utah on Thursday and Friday (both 6:05 p.m.). They return for a six game home stand at the tail end of January through early February.They host the Alaska Aces on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and host the Ontario Reign on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28. Friday’s game is Toothbrush Giveaway, sponsored by Hot Hits 93.1 and Saturday’s game features the ZOOperstars, sponsored by ABC23, 101.5 KGFM, and Mercy & Memorial Hospitals. 

Pick-4 Plans are on sale now, featuring the most sought-after games for the second half of the season, starting at just $32. For more information or to reserve your tickets call 324-PUCK (7825) today.

Individual tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and the Rabobank Arena box office by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday with extended hours on gamedays. For more information on ticket packages, exciting promotions, and to sign up for the Kids Club for just $10, log on to www.bakersfieldcondors.com.