The Bakersfield Condors started the third week of the season with a triumphant beat down of the San Antonio Rampage before splitting their two game series with the Texas Stars for a 2-1-0 record to bring their season total to 4-4-0.
It was a huge week for Taylor Beck who was named the AHL player of the week scoring three goals and five assists in only three games. Beck’s excellence led to his recall to the Edmonton Oilers. Dillon Simpson was also recalled by the Oilers.
CURRENT DEPTH CHART
Ryan Hamilton – Jujhar Khaira – Patrick Russell
Scott Allen – Kris Newbury – Kyle Platzer
Joey Benik – Jere Sallinen – Braden Christoffer
Joel Rechlicz – Josh Currie – Mitch Moroz
Greg Chase
Griffin Reinhart – David Musil
Jordan Oesterle – Joey Laleggia
Ben Betker – Mark Fraser
Frankie Simonelli – Milae Tam
Laurent Brossoit
Nick Ellis
CONDORS 7 RAMPAGE 1
The Condors started off their week with an absolute thrashing of the San Antonio Rampage.
The top line of Hamilton-Khaira-Beck led the way combining for three goals and four assists on the night.
The Condors got two goals from Taylor Beck, and single goals from Braden Christoffer, Josh Currie, Ryan Hamilton, Kris Newbury, and Joey Benik.
The score may make it look misleading, but the Condors were actually outshot by a decent margin as the Rampage fired 37 shots on Laurent Brossoit who was up to the task in what would be his first win of the season. The Condors fired 27 shots on Rampage goaltender Nathan Liuewen and Spencer Martin.
Mark Fraser was a +4 on the night and five different players recorded multiple point nights (Taylor Beck, Ryan Hamilton, Jujhar Khaira, Braden Christoffer, and Mitch Moroz).
STARS 3 CONDORS 1
The Condors would find themselves down in this game 2:20 into the first period as Ethan Werek beat Laurent Brossoit. Austen Fyten would score with less than two minutes to go in the period to create a large hole for the Condors to climb out of.
With just over two minutes to go in the second period, the Condors would finally get on board after firing 18 shots on Texas goalie Maxime Lagace, with AHL veteran Kris Newbury scoring his second goal of the season in his last two games. Taylor Beck and Ryan Hamilton would get the assists.
Matt Mangene would score for the Stars in the third period to regain their two goal lead and that was all they would need.
CONDORS 5 STARS 3
The Condors would get their revenge against the Texas Stars with a 5-3 win and a tremendous performance from Nick Ellis in goal.
The Condors were outshot 15-8 in the first period, but Taylor Beck continued his hot streak scoring his third goal on the season with a shot from the top of the left circle. Kris Newbury drew the assist.
The second period saw four goals with Kris Newbury, Mitch Moroz and Ryan Hamilton scoring for the Condors and Austen Fyten scored his second in as many games for the Stars. The score was 4-1 Condors after the second.
Cole Ully would bring the Stars back to a two-goal defect 1:36 into the third period, but Ryan Hamilton would score to regain the three goal lead. Nick Ebert would score with less than five minutes to go in the third period, but that was all she wrote.
The Condors only mustered up 20 shots throughout the entire game, while the Stars would throw 32 at Nick Ellis.
CURRENT STATS
Taylor Beck (X) 8GP 3-9-12
Ryan Hamilton 8Gp 3-6-9
Jujhar Khaira 4GP 4-3-7
Kris Newbury 7GP 3-1-4
Scott Allen 8GP 2-2-4
Joey Benik 7GP 3-0-3
Josh Currie 7GP 1-2-3
Mitch Moroz 8GP 1-2-3
Patrick Russell 8GP 0-3-3
Matt Benning (X) 2GP 1-1-2
Jordan Oesterle 6GP 1-1-2
David Musil 6GP 0-2-2
Braden Christoffer 8GP 1-1-2
Joey Laleggia 8GP 0-2-2
Jaedon Desceheneau (X) 4GP 0-1-1
Ben Betker 5GP 0-1-1
Dillon Simpson (X) 7GP 1-0-1
Kyle Platzer 7GP 0-1-1
Jere Sallinen 8GP 1-0-1
Mark Fraser 8GP 0-1-1
Frankie Simonelli 1GP 0-0-0
Joel Rechlicz 2GP 0-0-0
Greg Chase 3GP 0-0-0
Griffin Reinhart 4GP 0-0-0
Laurent Brossoit 4GP 1-3-0 2.55 .925
Nick Ellis 4GP 3-1-0 2.72 .923
TRIN’S THOUGHTS
-Taylor Beck is too good for the AHL, but it will be up to him to show if he is JF Jacques or the next Jonathan Marchessault. Beck was my prediction for training camp surprise and he did not make it like I had guessed. Beck however is in the NHL now earning his recall, and he played sparingly during the Red Wings game. Here’s hoping he can get a chance to make an impact.
-The Oilers have goaltending depth! Nick Ellis and Laurent Brossoit have been playing well, and they will have to as it seems the Condors get outplayed more often than not. Ellis and Brossoit both have good numbers despite the team’s mediocre record.
-Jujhar Khaira, Jordan Oesterle and Griffin Reinhart have been in and out of the lineup and can’t seem to stay healthy. It’s concerning when a player can’t put more than four games together in complete health. Will be a storyline to keep an eye one.
-By all accounts, Mitch Moroz and Braden Christoffer are playing their roles really well. Both guys play pesky energy roles and it’s finally lead to some offence over the last week. Moroz is playing for a second NHL contract and he will need to keep progressing this year.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Condors will face the division’s best team in Tuscon against the Coyote’s affiliate Roadrunners on Friday and Saturday. It will be a big statement if the Condors can squeak out a single win.
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