Thunder sneak by Condors in the shootout, 4-3

CONDORSTOWN, Calif. – The Bakersfield Condors (14-34-4-2, 34pts) rallied from one-goal deficits twice, but eventually fell to the Stockton Thunder (27-21-1-4, 59pts) 4-3 in front of 5,926 at Rabobank Arena Friday night.

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Bakersfield opened the scoring with F Tyler Helfrich’s 13th of the season, as he finished off a his own drive to the front of the net at 15:05. The Thunder led in shots 13-10 in the period, with G Matt Keetley getting the nod between the pipes for Bakersfield, while G Thomas Heemskert stopped several early opportunities en route to 12 first period stops.

Stockton jumped out early in the second, tying it up just over a minute into the period and taking the lead at 9

:25. The Condors bounced back however with a power play tally at 14:06. LW Peter Boyd, wearing his commemorative Silver Skater jersey tonight, walked in off the right wing boards and sent a wrister home to make it 2-2.

The two clubs exchanged power play tallies early in the third. F Ian O’Conner tipped home a shot in front of the net at 2:02 to regain the lead for the visitors. LW Kyle Calder, manning the left point on the power play, blasted home his fourth of the season at 5:48 to tie it up at three.

The game went to overtime, where both Calder and F Chris Kushneriuk had point-blank opportunities, only to be denied by Heemskerk. The Stockton goalie stood tall in the shootout as well, stopping three of four Condors shooters, while three players lit the lamp for the Thunder to take the win.

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Matt O’Dette post-game comments

Condors Droppings: LW Evan Trupp’s four-game goal streak ended tonight, as he left the game injured in the first period and did not return… F Parker Stanfield extended his point streak to eight games with an assist tonight. He has 4g-8a during the stretch… G Matt Keetley and F Peter Boyd both wore special jerseys tonight for the ECHL Golden Goalie and Silver Skater Program. The jerseys will be auctioned online at www.MeiGray.com … Shots on goal: BAK- 37, STK- 33… PP: BAK 2/2, STK 1/4… Three Stars: 1. Heemskerk (STK), 2. Calder (BAK), 3. Foy (STK).

Bugs Bunny & free palm trees tomorrow night!

On Saturday they battle the Stockton Thunder again, and the first 2,000 fans 5 and older will get a palm tree seedling to take home, stick in the ground and turn your abode tropical! In addition, Bugs Bunny will be in the house to meet the kids and hang out in the Condors Photo Booth, sponsored by Bright House Networks, KERN 1180 and Cal Water.

Get Tickets

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.

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