Share this Story: Bakersfield Condors wrap up top spot in AHL West but may have lost a key player to injury Bakersfield Condors wrap up top spot in AHL West but may have lost a key player to injury Photo by Edmonton Journal file photo Article content Condors 3, Heat 2 It was a familiar scene on my computer screen on Sunday night as the farm teams of the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames met in the American Hockey League season finale. As was the case in Calgary eight days ago, one team was tuning up for the playoffs, the other preparing for golf season. This time, though, the roles were reversed, with the visiting team in white, blue and orange being the squad in the ascendant. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Bakersfield Condors wrap up top spot in AHL West but may have lost a key player to injury Back to video The road team managed to win this game as well, twice eliminating a one-goal deficit and finally grabbing the lead themselves with six minutes to play and holding the 3-2 scoreline to the buzzer. The Condors needed one point to secure top spot in the Western Conference, wound up getting two to finish the season with a .654 points percentage (42-21-5 in 68 GP), just ahead of Chicago Wolves Central Division-leading .645. This assures the Condors home-ice advantage — or what passes for it in the AHL — through the first three rounds of playoffs. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Alas, one other similarity from the NHL regular season finale was that the visitors lost a key player to injury. Nothing quite so dramatic as Connor McDavid crashing into a goal frame at Warp Nine, but potentially a costly blow all the same when Condors forward Josh Currie went down hard after a mid-ice collision and stayed down. There was no audio at that point but by eye it was an upper body injury that looked suspiciously like an old-fashioned bell-ringing. For a few seconds the played carried on, swirling right beside the player in distress at one point as the refs stuck to the letter of the law even in a game that meant relatively little. Eventually the Condors recovered possession, the trainer tended to Currie, and a couple mionutes later the 27-goal-scorer headed slowly down the tunnel, not to be seen again on the night. Hopefully it’s just precautionary, but who knows. No player grades tonight in a game that Bakersfield coach Jay Woodcroft rested a number of key regulars and gave his depth players a chance to play, but a few takeaways: Player identification was difficult during the soundless portion of the feed, especially after the early injury scrambled up the lines, so I focused instead on team play. Have to say I was very impressed with the positional play of Woodcroft’s charges: in the o-zone there was always a high forward in good defensive position, players were moving their feet and rotating into strong puck support positions, and the group gave away next to nothing in terms of odd-man rushes or defensive-zone breakdowns. The squad displayed excellent energy throughout the game and gradually seized control, outshooting the Heat 41-28 on the night and 13-6 in the decisive third period. With the Western Division crown assured one night previous, Woodcroft chose to rest starting netminder Shane Starrett , veteran defender Ryan Stanton , and the entire line of Joe Gambardella-Brad Malone-Patrick Russell — three guys who all saw NHL time this year and who form a very strong two-way line at this level. Presumably none of these guys even made the trip to Stockton. Into the line-up in their place went netminder Dylan Wells , defender Brandon Manning , and depth forwards Braden Christoffer, Nolan Vesey, Cameron Hebig and Jakob Stukel . Wouldn’t you know that Stukel and Christoffer both scored, Hebig earned an assist and none looked out of place. , veteran defender , and the entire line of — three guys who all saw NHL time this year and who form a very strong two-way line at this level. Presumably none of these guys even made the trip to Stockton. Into the line-up in their place went netminder , defender , and depth forwards and . Wouldn’t you know that Stukel and Christoffer both scored, Hebig earned an assist and none looked out of place. The game winner was a two-man effort featuring a pair of players on AHL contracts, namely Evan Polei who led the rush and made a fine backhand feed, and Dave Gust who roofed it. The two combined on an effective line with pending RFA Tyler Vesel , and all three are making a decent case for an NHL contract on the Oilers 50-man list next season. Vesel and Gust also chipped in important contributions on a penalty kill unit that went a perfect 5-for-5 in a one-goal game. who led the rush and made a fine backhand feed, and who roofed it. The two combined on an effective line with pending RFA , and all three are making a decent case for an NHL contract on the Oilers 50-man list next season. Vesel and Gust also chipped in important contributions on a penalty kill unit that went a perfect 5-for-5 in a one-goal game. Of the Oilers main prospects on display in this game, the one who caught my eye the best was d-man William Lagesson , who made a terrific cross-ice pass to Christoffer on the 2-2 goal. Lagesson has a rep as a gritty defensive player but is showing increasing poise with the puck, ending the season with very decent boxcars of 67 GP, 8-19-27, +25, with every last one of those points coming at even strength. Another sequence that was even more impressive than that slick pass was a situation where Lagesson closed down a Heat attacker at the Bakersfield blueline, easily dispossessed him of the puck, took one quick look and found a breaking teammate with a diagonal pass that hit the tape in full stride. Made it look easy, always a great sign to these old eyes. , who made a terrific cross-ice pass to Christoffer on the 2-2 goal. Lagesson has a rep as a gritty defensive player but is showing increasing poise with the puck, ending the season with very decent boxcars of 67 GP, 8-19-27, +25, with every last one of those points coming at even strength. Another sequence that was even more impressive than that slick pass was a situation where Lagesson closed down a Heat attacker at the Bakersfield blueline, easily dispossessed him of the puck, took one quick look and found a breaking teammate with a diagonal pass that hit the tape in full stride. Made it look easy, always a great sign to these old eyes. Star rookies Tyler Benson and Cooper Marody had quiet games, and wound up the season at #s 2 and 3 in the league in rookie scoring with 66 and 64 points respectively. They were also #1 and #2 on the Condors by a wide margin, with no oither player scoring as many as 50 points. Benson made one terrific headman pass that sent temporary linemate P.C. Labrie in alone, but had a tough sequence on the second Stockton goal. Marody impressed with his fine distribution skills which were founded in quick, smart decisions whenever the puck landed, however briefly, on his blade. He also showed a nice extra gear when he nearly beat a Stockton defender wide on a one-on-one rush. and had quiet games, and wound up the season at #s 2 and 3 in the league in rookie scoring with 66 and 64 points respectively. They were also #1 and #2 on the Condors by a wide margin, with no oither player scoring as many as 50 points. Benson made one terrific headman pass that sent temporary linemate P.C. Labrie in alone, but had a tough sequence on the second Stockton goal.<doc-sep>Share this Story: Player grades: Tough night for Bakersfield and prospect Shane Starrett in 4-1 loss Player grades: Tough night for Bakersfield and prospect Shane Starrett in 4-1 loss Photo by CODIE MCLACHLAN / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content The Bakersfield Condors came out flat and their conservative trapping style didn’t create a truly excellent scoring chance until mid-way through the second period. Colorado scored an early goal off a botched faceoff play. The Eagles played harder and scored more, winning 4-1 to even this playoff series at one win each. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Player grades: Tough night for Bakersfield and prospect Shane Starrett in 4-1 loss Back to video Joe Gambardella, 5. One of the Bake’s only glimmers in the first came when Gambardella almost stuffed in a shot off a Patrick Russell feed. Gambardella made a second period turnover in the neutral zone that led to a dangerous chance against. His line had a few good shifts but not enough of them. Brad Malone, 5. Threw a hard, hard hit in the third. Played OK, but just that. Part of an ineffective power play. Patrick Russell, 5. He did a good job screening the goalie on Bear’s goal. A short time later he got off a good shot in tight, jamming the puck at the net. But he took a bad penalty in the third, snuffing out a Bakersfield power play when the team was just a goal behind. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Cooper Marody, 3. Ugh! Had nothing going on this game, except for in the wrong direction. He made a ghastly turnover on the power play in the first that led to a Grade A scoring chance against. In the second period, he missed a puck after falling down on the power play, allowing for a Colorado two-on-one and a short-handed goal against. Tyler Benson, 4. He and Marody had one good shift four-on-four in the third, but were otherwise smothered by effective Colorado defenders. Josh Currie 4. He got an assist on a good pass to Bear, but is not getting it done right now, and neither is his line. The two are not unrelated. He’s the motor of this line, but the motor is sputtering. Tyler Vesel, 4. Needs to do more next game, but you can say that about almost every Condor. Dave Gust, 5. He and Vesel worked hard early in the first, buzzing the Eagles’ net, but no luck with a goal. He lost a puck battle early in the second leading to a dangerous shorthanded chance against. He was in on the Bake’s first really good scoring chance, lashing a one-timer shot on net from an Esposito feed. Evan Polei, 4. He got off a dangerous shot off a face-off win by Vesey in the second, but otherwise he was just another Condor who got little of note done this game. Mitch Callahan, 4. Did not make his presence felt. Luke Esposito, 5. Lost a faceoff on the first goal against, but also made some good plays. Cameron Hebig, 4. Quiet game, too quiet for a forward. Caleb Jones, 7. He and partner Lagesson came out stronger than the other Condors in the first, moving the puck well. Jones came alive in the third, making major contributions to four Grade A chances. A strong two-way game where Jones was the top Condor. Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content William Lagesson, 6. He made a great block on a first period power play one-timer shot. He and his partner Jones weren’t the problem this game. Ethan Bear, 4. An up-and-down night. Bear lost a key battle early in the first leading to a Grade B scoring chance shot and a goal against. A few minutes later he got deked and dropped his stick leading to a blistering Logan O’Connor slot shot off the post. He also got walked on the third Colorado goal. Bear did fire one great stretch pass in the second for an Esposito chance in tight and, of course, he ripped a shot for a goal in the third, making the score close briefly. Bear was one of the few Condors who looked dangerous on the team’s seven power plays. Keegan Lowe, 5. He failed to clear the puck on a first period penalty kill that could have been major trouble, as Colorado moved the puck around dangerously. A fairly quiet night otherwise. Ryan Stanton, 5. He plays with a lot of poise and confidence and is an effective player at this level. He was given a rather soft penalty in the third, which was bad timing for his team, if nothing else. Logan Day, 3. He got caught moving slow on a nasty Colorado short-handed chance in the first. Next, he got beat out of the corner on another scary chance against in the second. Didn’t get it done this game. If Evan Bouchard is going to sub in, it will be in Day’s spot. Shane Starrett, 4. The first goal against came on a Grade B shot, so not great on Starrett’s part. He then redeemed himself somewhat with a huge breakaway save late in the first. He also made a great save of Andrew Agozzino in the second, but then allowed a B-grade chance from Agozzino to beat him in the third. He was the second best goalie this game. At the Cult of Hockey McCURDY: Some fine efforts in the Bake’s first playoff win McCURDY: Evan Bouchard joins his fourth team of a hyperactive season LEAVINS: On Steve Yzerman, Ken Holland, Detroit & Edmonton STAPLES: Now is the time for Bear, Jones & Lagesson to show their stuff Share this article in your social network Latest National Stories Advertisement Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Edmonton Journal Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Edmonton Journal, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Edmonton Journal Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Trending<doc-sep>The #Oilers have assigned 2018 10th overall pick Evan Bouchard to #Condorstown. He’ll join the team in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/YkKsvzm0Lt — Y - Bakersfield Condors (@Condors) April 18, 2019 The Bakersfield Condors are about to embark on the first round of their quest for the Calder Cup, and they’ll get a boost on the back end from the OHL. Edmonton’s first round selection from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft is movin’ on up. Bouchard’s junior hockey career ended on a rather sour note as the Guelph Storm came back from a 3-0 series deficit to win 4-3. For Bouchard, that taste will probably linger for a bit. It can’t linger too long, as he’s about to suit up for another playoff series. Evan Bouchard will get a taste of pro hockey as the Bakersfield Condors will face the Colorado Eagles in round one of the AHL playoffs. Per the Condors’ Twitter account, he’ll join the Condors in Colorado for the first game in a five game series. In eleven playoff games, Bouchard led the London Knights in scoring with 21 points (4-17-21). Bouchard will join a Condors club that clinched their division as they open their playoff series in Colorado. It’ll be a pretty good gauge to see how far Bouchard has come over this past season, as he’ll likely get a very long look to become a regular next season in Edmonton. Game 1 of Bakersfield’s best of five begins tomorrow night.<doc-sep>
Share this Story: Player grades: Top line leads a strong team effort as Condors win a squeaker to open AHL playoffs Player grades: Top line leads a strong team effort as Condors win a squeaker to open AHL playoffs Article content Condors 3, Eagles 2 It was a tough grind for 60 minutes on Friday night, but Bakersfield Condors got a huge wing up on their first round series with a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Colorado Eagles. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Player grades: Top line leads a strong team effort as Condors win a squeaker to open AHL playoffs Back to video The Condors answered the challenge of starting the best-of-five series on the road, and with the win are flying high in a very strong position — one road win under their belt, a minimum of a split going back to Bakersfield, and home-ice advantage the rest of the way for as many of Games 3-4-5 as are necessary. The visitors got a huge game out of their first line of Joe Gambardella-Brad Malone-Patrick Russell, who were involved in all three of the goals, even as the final two of them were scored by defencemen William Lagesson and Logan Day. All of Malone, Russell and Lagesson had two points on the night. Behind them Shane Starrett allowed one sloppy one on the 2-2 tally but made a number of strong saves, turning aside 12 drives in the final frame as Colorado pushed for the equalizer. And his teammates responded to that bad one by scoring the game winner on a 5-way passing play just 45 seconds later as Day buried a great Gambardella feed from the right faceoff circle to restore the one-goal lead for the third and final time. Lines: Gambardella-Malone-Russell Benson-Marody-Currie Polei-Vesel-Gust Hebig-Esposito-Callahan Pairings: Lagesson-Jones Lowe-Bear Stanton-Day ___ Post-game podcast Article content The farm team of the Edmonton Oilers won their first playoff game, with the Bakersfield Condors beating the Colorado Eagles 3-2. It was a dominating performance for the Condors, an auspicious start to their playoffs, with strong performances from Joe Gambardella, Patrick Russell, Ethan Bear, William Lagesson and others. Player grades #3 Caleb Jones, 7. Made a great pass to Lagesson on the 2-1 goal, holding the puck in the high slot and dishing it off at the last moment. Made a fine play circling the zone in control on the build-up to the 3-2 tally. His plus skating stood out on multiple occasions. #4 Keegan Lowe, 5. Looks right at home in his dad’s old #4 in white, blue & orange with a “C” on the front. Showed his customary intensity. A couple of poor outlet passes caused him some grief, as did an uncontrolled stick which cost him a tripping minor. #5 Joe Gambardella, 7. An absolute bull on the puck. Made at least three strong rushes into traffic that didn’t quiite pan out, but his cross-ice pass to Day set the stage for the game-winning shot. #8 Ryan Stanton, 5. Steady old pro. Made one big defensive play with a well-timed starfish slide to cut out all options. #9 Tyler Vesel, 5. Low-event worker bee. Absorbed a heavy check in the early going. Did some good work on the one Condors penalty kill, midway through the third. #10 Evan Polei, 6. Robust winger plays a take-no-prisoners style, and landed a couple of crunching checks. Had a great chance early and forced an excellent save from Pavel Francouz. Later set up two other Bako chances by linemate Dave Gust, notably a fine pass on a 2-on-1 which put Gust eyeball-to-eyeball with Francouz. Saw little ice time in the very late going as Jay Woodcroft tightened up the lines. Article content #15 Mitch Callahan, 5. Veteran pro knows a few tricks and displayed a couple of them. More than willing to engage when the going gets greasy. #16 Tyler Benson, 5. Made a sweet spinnarama pass that found Stanton’s tape for a great look, otherwise pretty quiet. #17 Brad Malone, 8. No player demonstrates the gulf between the NHL and AHL as well as Malone, who at the big league level is the definition of “marginal”, “entry level”, “tweener”. But in Triple A he is a force, be it in the faceoff circle, on the penalty kill, in the trenches, or on the attack.