The comeback magic escaped the San Diego Gulls tonight.
The Bakersfield Condors scored three first period goals to power them to a 5-1 win over San Diego. It marks the first loss for the Gulls, who entered the game riding a franchise best six-game win streak to start the season.
Joseph Gambardella, Luke Esposito and Alan Quine recorded multi-point games as Bakersfield snapped a five-game losing streak to earn its first win of the season. Stuart Skinner stopped 22 shots to keep the high-powered San Diego offense at bay.
Sam Carrick tallied the lone goal for San Diego, netting his third of the season. Rookie Lukas Dostal had a rare off night, allowing five goals on 20 shots in 44:05 of action. Veteran Jeff Glass made his season debut, replacing Dostal in the third period, making 13 saves in relief.
Bakersfield welcomed San Diego to its home arena with an offensive explosion, scoring three times in the latter half of the first period to take a commanding 3-0 lead.
Esposito opened the scoring, firing a wrist shot past Dostal’s glove for his first goal of the season at 10:38 of the first period.
San Diego has yet to score the first goal this season, allowing their opponent to grab an early advantage for a seventh straight game.
A fortunate bounce helped Bakersfield double its advantage, as Gambardella picked up his goal of the season with 5:27 left in the opening period. Brad Malone entered the zone with the puck, firing a hard pass to a cutting Gambardella. Jamie Drysdale blocked the pass, but the puck trickled to the front of the net. Gambardella found it and chipped his backhand chance into the back of the net.
Tyler Benson capped the scoring, getting another friendly bounce to net a power-play goal. Quine ripped a one-time shot toward the net, where Benson parked himself in front of Dostal. The puck deflected off the Edmonton, Alberta native’s shoulder and into the net for his first goal of the season.
Sam Carrick attempted to kick off the comeback, scoring his third goal of the season to cut the Condors lead to two after 40 minutes.
Jacob Perreault forced a turnover at center ice, sending San Diego’s captain in all alone on Stuart Skinner. He flicked a wrist shot past the glove of Bakersfield’s goalie for his third goal of the season. The tally tied him with Vinni Lettieri for the team lead in goals.
Bakersfield, who saw a two-goal lead evaporate in their Wednesday loss to San Diego, slammed the door on any comeback chance in the third period. The Condors struck twice in 14 seconds on goals from Ryan McLeod and Adam Cracknell to push their lead to an insurmountable four-goal advantage.
San Diego looks to get back in the win column on home ice tomorrow night against the Colorado Eagles. Fans can watch on Fox 5 San Diego at 7:30 p.m. PT.
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