BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Condors found a way to put away the Salmon Kings in the final minute of game five and will advance to the second round. In the first period, Bakersfield struck early on a one-timer from Adam Naglich in the five hole past Matt Keetley at 59 seconds into the game. The goal was Naglich’s first professional goal in the playoffs; the assist went to Andrew Ianiero.
Victoria’s Jimmy Sharrow made a long shot towards the net that Jean-Philippe Lavasseur blocked, but rebounded to Andy Brandt for a wrister past the blocker side at 11:09. The goal was also Brandt’s first for the post season. The score remained 1-1 throughout most of the game.
Both teams hammered away at the nets, but Keetley and Lavasseur made critical saves. But late in the third period, with 49 seconds remaining Dan Kissel blasted a wrist shot from a close rebound past Keetley to give the Condors the edge. Despite Keetley being pulled for the last few seconds of the game for the extra skater, Victoria was unable to capitalize.
Lavasseur would get the win with 31 saves, while Keetley had 23 saves.
The Condors get the win 2-1, before 4,083 fans at Rabobank Arena and will advance to face the Stockton Thunder in the Conference Semifinals. The Thunder defeated the Alaska Aces in three to one games to earn the trip to the second round.
The Conference Semifinals, best-of-seven game series, between the Condors and Thunder will begin in Bakersfield at the Rabobank Arena on Friday, April 16, with game two on April 17, moving the Stockton for games three, four and five on April 21, 23 and 24, then returning to Bakersfield, if necessary for game six and seven on April 27 and 28.
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
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