BAKERSFIELD, CA. – Colorado forwards Jake Wise and Matthew Phillips each posted two points, while fellow forward Jayson Megna netted the game-winner in the third period, as the Eagles defeated the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Sunday. Goaltender Kevin Mandolese earned the win in net, stopping 32 of the 34 shots he faced. Colorado dominated the special teams battle, finishing 2-for-6 on the power play and a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The first period would see the Eagles shut down a pair of Bakersfield power play opportunities, while also coming up dry on one of their own. The Condors would outshoot Colorado 15-14 in the opening frame, but the two teams headed to the first intermission with the game still scoreless.
A wild second period would begin with Bakersfield forward Seth Griffith streaking down the left-wing boards before lighting the lamp with a wrister, giving the Condors a 1-0 edge at the 2:10 mark.
The Eagles would find an answer just 3:27 later when forward Chase Bradley snagged a pass in the low-slot and roofed the puck past goalie Oliver Rodrigue, tying the game at 1-1.
Colorado would claim its first lead of the game on a power play, as forward Nikita Prishchepov swept home a rebound at the top of the crease, putting the Eagles on top 2-1 at the 7:22 mark of the middle frame.
A power play for the Condors late in the period would see a net-mouth scramble lead to an apparent Bakersfield goal. However, subsequent discussion between the officials led to the goal being waived off and the score remained 2-1 with 1:05 left to play in the second stanza. The sequence also led to a physical display between the two teams that would lead to 28 combined penalty minutes.
Still trailing 2-1 to begin the third period, the Condors would square things up at 2-2 when Griffith snapped a wrister from the left-wing circle that would beat Mandolese at the 5:54 mark.
Colorado would hop back in the driver’s seat via the power play, as Megna camped at the top of the crease and deflected a shot into the back of the net, giving the Eagles a 3-2 advantage with 11:11 left to play.
Bakersfield would pull Rodrigue in favor of the extra attacker, but it would be Phillips who would capitalize with an empty-netter at the 19:22 mark, rounding out the 4-2 score.
Rodrigue suffered the loss in net, allowing three goals on 43 shots.
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