Tag: Bakersfield Condors

Photo credit to the San Jose Barracuda. Artemi Kniazev skates the puck up against the Condors.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

On a late night in Bakersfield the San Jose Barracuda took on the Bakersfield Condors and would end up losing 5-1.

The scoring would open early as Matt Bouldens for the Condors would open the scoring only 44 seconds into the game with an assist from Michael Kesselring.

However the Barracuda would find a way to respond in the first period with a goal from Brandon Coe assisted by Mitchell Russell and Danil Gushchin.

For the Barracuda that would be all of the offense they would be able to muster as heading into the second period the Condors took control. This would helped along by a goal from Filip Engaras on the Condors assisted by Alex Peters and Yanni Kaldis.

That would be the only goal of the second period though the shots would favor the Condors 12-9.

In the third period the Condors really hit their stride kicked off by a goal from Tye Felhaber and assisted by Greg Mckegg.

This would added on to on the powerplay by Dino Kambeitz assisted by McKegg and Seth Griffith.

Finally the Condors would put the cap on the night with and empty net short handed goal by Michael Kesserling.

The game would not end without a little extra fireworks though as multiple misconducts would be handed out to both teams in the third period.

The final shot count would end at 34-25 in favor of the Condors.

The Barracuda’s next game will be against the Condors on Oct. 8th at 4:00 p.m. on the Cuda’s home ice.

The Bakersfield Condors left winger Jimmy Hamblin (11) pushes the San Jose Barracuda’s defenseman Patrick Holway (97) up against the glass at the Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Wed Apr 20, 2022 (photo from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The number 13 wasn’t a lucky number for the men in teal.

The Bakersfield Condors scored two goals in the third period en route to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda on Wednesday night at Mechanics Bank Arena.

San Jose continued its franchise worse 13-game losing skid with only two games left in the season. They have lost 10 straight on the road to the Condors. Bakersfield has won three out its past four games and clinched fifth place in the Pacific Division with 78 points.

Bakersfield (34-20-5-5) drew first blood almost eight minutes into the first period on the power play. Adam Cracknell finished off a give and go with Seth Griffith when his wrist shot deflected off the skate of Adam Raska for his 19th goal of the season at the 7:50 mark.

The Condors doubled its lead less than five minutes later. Tim Schaller sprung Colton Sceviour on a breakaway with a pass off the boards. Sceviour skated in and lifted a backhander past ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock for his fifth goal of the season at the 12:03 mark.

San Jose (20-40-4-2) cut the Condor’s lead in half with a power play goal of their own 45 seconds later. Jake McGrew redirected Artemi Kniazev’s shot from the right point for his 12th goal of the season at the 12:48 mark.

McGrew snapped a 14-game goal less draught.

Bakersfield regained the momentum 64 seconds into the second period with an even strength goal. Dino Kambeitz centered a pass from behind the net and Tyler Benson beat Stalock with a wrist shot to the short side for his third goal of the season.

The Condors put the game away just past the halfway mark of the middle frame. Devin Brosseau finished off a two-on-one odd man rush when he snapped home a wrist shot off of a pass from Griffith for his 11th goal of the season at the 11:36 mark.

San Jose had two power play opportunities in the third period but weren’t able to capitalize on either chance as both teams finished the final frame scoreless.

Daniil Gushchin and Gannon Laroque made their debuts for the ‘Cuda. Gushchin finished tied for the team high with five shots on goal.

Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner stopped 29 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his 19th victory of the season. Stalock made 22 saves on 26 in suffering his ninth straight loss (0-7-2).

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-7 on the power play. Bakersfield was 1-for-2.

San Jose finished 3-6-1 against Bakersfield in the season series.

Skinner is 17-2 against the Barracuda in his career.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Brosseau 2) Benson 3) Sceviour

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to Henderson to close out the regular season with two games against the Silver Knights on Friday 4/22 at 7:00pm at Dollar Loan Center.

The San Jose Barracuda Thomas Bordeleau (23) battles against the Bakersfield Condors at SAP Center in San Jose on Wed Apr 13, 2022 in a three goal loss (image from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Bakersfield Condors didn’t follow the script.

They scored three goals in the third period to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 6-3 on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

This was the last game the ‘Cuda played at the Shark Tank, a place they have called home since 2015. Their final home game is slated to be played at Solar4America Ice on Friday. They will open the ’22-’23 season at the brand-new Tech CU Arena.

San Jose extended their franchise worst losing streak to 11 games with four games remaining. Bakersfield has won three of its past four games.

The Barracuda (20-39-3-2) drew first blood exactly a minute into the game. Lane Pederson cleaned up the rebound off of a Thomas Bordeleau shot for his seventh goal of the season. The primary assist for Bordeleau was the first point since being signed to an amateur tryout agreement by the ‘Cuda on Monday.

Bordeleau, who was drafted by the San Jose Sharks as the 38th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, finished his season with the University of Michigan with an appearance in the Frozen Four in just his sophomore season.

Bakersfield (33-19-5-5) answered back with two goals of their own in the first period.

Graham McPhee redirected a shot from the point by Darien Kielb that hit off ‘Cuda goalie Alex Stalock and trickled behind him into the back of the net for McPhee’s fifth goal of the season at the 6:13 mark.

Tyler Benson set up Dino Kambeitz in front of the crease and the rookie forward beat Stalock with a point-blank shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:27 mark.

San Jose tied it up early in the second period with a power play goal. Artemi Kniazev’s shot from redirected off the crossbar by Jasper Weatherby, who was able to clean up his own rebound for his fifth goal of the season at the 3:10 mark.

Bakersfield regained the lead 47 seconds later. A turnover by Stalock led to Kielb blasting a slapshot from the left slot for his first goal in his debut with the Condors at the 3:57 mark. Kielb finished with three points (1G, 2A).

The Barracuda scored the equalizer late in the middle frame. Bordeleau picked up his second assist of the game when he sent a rink wide pass off the boards where Patrick Holway rifled home a slapshot past Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner for his fourth goal of the season.

Bordeleau finished with three assists in his professional debut.

Bakersfield scored two goals in the first seven minutes of the third period to take control of the game.

Veteran forward Adam Cracknell tipped home a shot from Seth Griffith for his 18th goal of the season at the 3:37 mark.

Then Cracknell returned the favor when he set up Griffith with a drop pass on an odd man rush. Griffith beat Stalock with a wrist shot on the right side of the crease for his 25th goal of the season.

Griffith sealed the deal with second goal of the game, an empty netter with 54 seconds left in the game to complete his four-point night (2G, 2A). Griffith with 72 points on the season has already set a Condors record for most points in a season.

Skinner (18-5-5) finished the game stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Stalock (4-8-1) made 39 saves on 44 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-3 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Bordeleau 2) Griffith 3) McPhee

UP NEXT: San Jose close out their home schedule on Friday 4/16 as they host the Abbotsford Canucks at 5:00pm at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

The San Jose Barracuda Nick Merkely scores big in the third period to help the Barracuda defeat the Bakersfield Condors at Solar4America Ice at San Jose on Wed Mar 2, 2022 (nhl.com file photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE —Nick Merkely is getting hot right when his team needs him to.

The former first round draft pick scored with the game winning goal with 1:35 left in the third period to give the San Jose Barracuda a 5-3 victory over the Bakersfield Condors on Wednesday evening at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

San Jose has won two out of its last three games. Bakersfield has lost two games in a row.

Merkley, who is on a three-game goal streak after being goal less in his previous 13, skated out in front from behind the net, spun around and fired a wrist shot from close range past Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner for his ninth goal of the season at the 18:25 mark. Santeri Hatakka and Patrick Holway recorded assists on the game winning goal.

San Jose (16-28-1-0) drew first blood on the power play in the first minute of the opening period. A nice give and go between John Leonard and Jake McGrew led to Leonard sneaking a shot through the five-hole of Skinner for his 12th goal of the season at the 1:15 mark.

Bakersfield (22-13-4-5) answered back when Yanni Kaldis’ shot from the point went off the skate of James Hamblin through a sea of traffic in front of ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Emond for Hamblin’s 13th goal of the season at the 7:28 mark.

The Condors gained their first lead a minute into the second period. Raphael Lavoie sent the puck up the point where Phillip Broberg’s wrist shot hit off the post and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

The Barracuda responded back with their second power play goal near the halfway mark of the middle frame. Artemi Kniazev found Joachim Blichfeld at the Condors blue line. Blichfeld skated in and beat Skinner with a wrist shot top shelf to the far side for his 16th goal of the season at the 10:14 mark. Emond was credited the secondary assist for his first AHL point.

Blichfeld is second on the ‘Cuda with seven power play goals.

San Jose regained the lead over three minutes later. A misplay by Skinner led to Mark Alt’s shot from the point being redirected by defenseman Nick Cicek for his third goal of the season at the 12:54 mark.

Cicek played in his first game back after missing the past 14 straight games with a lower body injury. He broke a 10-game goal less draught.

Bakersfield responded to even the game just 20 seconds later. A two-on-one rush inside the ‘Cuda zone led to Kaldis finding Hamblin for a second time. Hamblin’s quick one-timer beat Emond for his second goal of the game and 14th goal of the season.

Kniazev scored an empty net goal as time expired to seal the deal for San Jose.

Emond finished the evening stopping 23 of 26 shots to earn the victory. Skinner made 24 saves on 28 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield was 0-for-3.

This was San Jose’s first win in regulation since January 23 when they beat Bakersfield 5-2.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Merkley 2) Hamblin 3) Cicek

UP NEXT: San Jose faces their NorCal rival the Stockton Heat on Saturday 3/5 at 6:00pm at Stockton Arena.

The San Jose Barracuda dropped their ninth out ten games against the Bakersfield Condors on Wed Feb 23, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (image from the San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE— When you play with fire you usually get burned.

The San Jose Barracuda got into penalty trouble and the Bakersfield Condors made them pay in a convincing 6-3 win on Wednesday evening at SAP Center.

San Jose have lost nine of its last 10 games. Bakersfield snapped its three-game losing streak.

The Condors were in control from the start of the game and forced the Barracuda to chase the game early on, which they could not recover from.

Bakersfield (21-12-4-4) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Luke Esposito centered a pass from the behind the net over to Raphael Lavoie who roofed a wrist shot to the short side past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his 12th goal of the season at the 4:46 mark.

The Condors doubled its lead on the power play under two minutes later. Yanni Kaldis set up Seth Griffith who sniped home a wrist shot for his team leading 18th goal of the season at the 6:22 mark.

Griffith, the AHL’s fifth leading scorer, has been on a hot streak with 16 points over his past 12 games. He has 14 points in 14 games against San Jose.

Bakersfield scored its third unanswered goal of the period near the halfway mark of the opening frame. Michael Kesselring’s shot from the right point was redirected past Melnichuk by James Hamblin for his 12th goal of the season at the 9:18 mark.

“We came out flat against a team and they took advantage of it,” ‘Cuda head coach Sommer said. “They basically put the game away in two periods and sat back in the third (period).”

San Jose (15-28-1-0) answered back with a power play goal late in the period. Nick Merkley centered a pass from behind the net and Jayden Halbgewachs beat Condor’s goalie Stuart Skinner with a one-timer to the short side for his 13th goal of the season at the 15:16 mark.

Bakersfield regained its three-goal lead 27 seconds into the second period. Dmitri Samorukov centered a pass to a trailing Dino Kambeitz who fired home a wrist shot past Melnichuk for his sixth goal of the season. Kambeitz has scored in back-to-back games.

The Condors continued their dominance with its second power play goal of the game. Dylan Holloway set up Griffith along the right slot and Griffith blasted a shot past Melnichuk for his second goal of the game and 19th of the season at the 3:24 mark.

Halbgewachs scored his second goal of the game when he cleaned up a rebound off of a Jake McGrew shot for his 14th goal of the season at the 8:19 mark.

Bakersfield responded back right away as a turnover in the neutral zone led to a break for the Condors. Cooper Marody set up Tim Schaller who beat Melnichuk with a wrist shot for his seventh goal of the season at the 9:57 mark.

“Without scoring, without defending down in our own end, we’re not going to win games. Right now (we need) everybody trying to buy in and we gotta give it our all to win games. We keep coming up short,” Halbgewachs said.

Sommer pulled Melnichuk after giving six goals on 15 shots and replaced him with Zachary Emond.

San Jose scored its second power play goal of the game near the halfway mark of the third period. Merkley skated in from the left wing a wired a wrist shot to the far side past Skinner for his eighth goal of the season at the 8:19 mark.

Merkley has scored in back-to-back games for the ‘Cuda.

Skinner, the ‘Cuda killer, finished the game stopping 21 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Emond made was perfect in mop up duty stopping all seven shots he faced.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 2-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield was 2-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Griffith 2) Halbgewachs 3) Schaller

Center Lane Pederson recorded two assists in his first game with San Jose since being placed on waivers by the San Jose Sharks and being assigned to the Barracuda on Tuesday as the Sharks recalled Jasper Weatherby.

UP NEXT: San Jose and Bakersfield battle it out again next Wednesday 3/2 at 7:00pm at Solar4America Ice.