The San Jose Barracuda forward Jayden Halbgewachs (89) and the Bakersfield Condors left winger Jakob Stukel (10) make brief contact during Fri Mar 11, 2021 game at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield (@ sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif-The Bakersfield Condors scored four unanswered goals in a commanding 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday evening at Mechanics Bank Arena.

The Condors have won seven games in row, including 2-0 versus San Jose. The Barracuda have have lost three of its past five games.

Bakersfield (7-5-0-0) opened the scoring early in the first period. Seth Griffith set up Adam Cranknell on the left wing and Cracknell buried a wrist shot past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his third goal of the season at the 6:29 mark.

The Condors doubled its lead while short-handed. James Hamblin carried the puck into the ‘Cuda zone where he split two defenders and sent a back pass over to Cracknell who then returned the favor back to Hamblin and he went top-shelf with a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his second goal of the season at the 14:10 mark.

Despite starting the game 7-0 on the shot clock, San Jose’s chances were thwarted away by Condors goalie Stuart Skinner.

“I thought Stu (Skinner) was a rock early for us when we needed him,” said Condors head coach Jay Woodcroft. “Allowed us to work out way into the game. It’s not always going to feel pretty, it’s not always going to feel nice. Learning how to win is a skill.”

Bakersfield extended its lead to 3-0 on the power play early in the second period. Cooper Maordy sent a cross ice pass over to Tyler Benson, who then sent a backdoor pass over to Luke Esposito and he finished off the tic-tac-toe play with his fifth goal of the season at the 3:47 mark.

“We’re making a lot better decisions with the puck. We’re playing with our legs. We’re checking hard. That’s creating offense, making the other team tired,” Marody said regarding his team’s winning streak.

The middle frame didn’t have as many scoring chances as in the first period. Both teams combined for only 12 shots in the period.

The Condors scored its fourth unanswered goal early in the third period. Benson recorded his second assist of the game when he centered a pass from behind the net out to Marody and he snapped home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his ninth goal of the season at the 4:19 mark.

San Jose (5-4-2-0) broke up Skinner’s shutout bid halfway through the final period. Alexander True cleaned up the rebound of a Jaycob Magna shot when lifted a backhander past Skinner for his third goal of the season at the 10:53 mark.

Skinner finished 21 saves on 22 shots to earn the victory. Melnichuk made 20 saves on 24 shots in the losing effort,

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 0-for-2 on the power play. Bakersfield was 1-for-5.

Marody recorded his 100th point in a Condors uniform.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Cracknell 2) Marody 3) Hamblin

UP NEXT: Both teams square off again with each other on Saturday 3/13 at 6:00pm at Mechanics Bank Arena.