Bakersfield Condors on a winning streak

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Things in the California central valley are returning to normal. The Condors have begun to win again and have found themselves in their longest winning streak since February of last season, having won their last six games.  Bakersfield is 7-3 in their last ten games, including a two game home-stand against their rivals to the north, the Stockton Thunder.   Following the Christmas break, the Thunder made the four hour trip to Rabobank Arena on Sunday.  Both teams were slow to start, but quickly converted to their physical skating styles.  A scoreless tie resulted in the first two periods, not without the normal skirmishes around the net and during stoppages of play.   The final period appeared to be headed for overtime until the 1:17 mark, when a feed from newly acquired Brad Snetsinger to Evan Stoflet put the Condors on the board.   Despite a frantic attempt by the Thunder to even the score, Condors goalie Josh Tordjman stopped everything.  Stockton out shot the Condors 35-23, but could not find a way to solve Tordjman.   Tordjman, named ECHL Goaltender of the week for the last two weeks of December, had 35 saves in the game, and tallied his second shutout of the season and eleventh of his career.  He has surrendered only three goals in his last four games, with one shutout, and three single-goal performances.   The Condors have been plagued with their fair share of injuries, call-ups and roster changes as well.  The result was only 14 skaters dressed for the Sunday game, including eight forwards and six defensemen.   On Monday, the Condors had signed Forward Michael Gergen (recently released from Utah), providing slightly more depth to their bench.   The game started much the same as the previous night had ended.  It was apparent that the Thunder knew they needed to do more to get back into their grove, since they have been on a four game losing skid.  Early in the first period, Stockton’s Bretton Cameron scored his fifth goal of the season at 2:35, with assists by Ryan Constant and Jesse Gimblet.  Midway into the period, Bakersfield’s Stephane Goulet evened the score with a shot that went past Garrett Zemlak.   Stockton scored two goals in the second period.  Gimblet scored an unassisted breakaway goal, while Chris Lawrence scored his ninth of the season on a powerplay at 13:12.   The Condors returned to the ice determined not to let this one slip through their hands, and goals by J.D. Corbin and Vyacheslav Trukhno would even the score, forcing the teams into sudden death overtime.  Corbins goal was his first of the season, while Trukhno’s was on a power play, with less than two minutes remaining in regulation.   Condor’s Veteran Captain Andrew Ianiero scored his seventh goal of the season, only 47 seconds into the overtime period, with a goal that beat Zemlak in the five hole, sending the 5,388 fans home with a smile.    The 4-3 Condor victory marked their sixth successive game winner, while Stockton returned home with their fifth loss in a row.  The Condors (14-13-1, 29 points) are knocking at the back door, and are virtually tied for second place with the Thunder (12-9-2-3, 29 points) in the Pacific division. Las Vegas sits in the division lead with 33 points.   The Condors hit the road again for a four game road trip, beginning in Utah to face the Grizzlies on Wednesday evening.   The Thunder return home to host Las Vegas on Wednesday night at the Stockton Arena.   Contact the writer at: Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com Contact the photographer at: Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com