NHL vet Calder rejoins Condors
| Thursday, Feb 02 2012 10:48 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Feb 02 2012 10:49 PM
When: Tonight, 7
Where: Rabobank Arena
Radio: KHTY (970 AM)
Eagles' W-L: 22-16-1-4
Condors : 10-30-4-1
Series: Bakersfield is 2-4-0
Notes: Defenseman Joe Loprieno, who started the season as captain but has been listed as a healthy scratch the past nine games, was moved to the 21-day IR on Thursday and will not return to the Condors' lineup. "He's off our active roster," said Condors coach Matt O'Dette ... The Condors are closing out what has turned into a tough homestand with back-to-back games against the Eagles. Bakersfield is 0-3-1 on the homestand, scoring just a lone goal in each of the last three games. They scored six goals in a regulation loss to Alaska, but allowed seven ... Colorado is also 0-3-1 in its last four games ... The Condors have been outscored 41-26 in the first period, by far the largest deficit in the ECHL .... The first 2,000 kids, 12 and younger, at tonight's game receive Condors Valentines featuring Condors players and hockey-related sayings like "PUCK-er up" or "Don't leave me shorthanded." ... The Condors will wear special space-themed jerseys on Saturday night, which will be auctioned after the game to benefit the Asthma and COPD Education Center.
Kyle Calder, a veteran of 590 National Hockey League games, will be playing for the Condors tonight at Rabobank Arena.
It will mark the third straight season Calder, who makes his home in Southern California, has donned a Condors sweater.
Calder, 33, was signed as a free agent by the Anaheim Ducks in 2009-10 and assigned to Bakersfield, where he played five games before playing 14 with the Ducks and another 40 with the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League. He returned to the Condors for the playoffs, scoring 10 points in 10 games.
Last season Calder, a left winger, signed with the Condors and played five games (netting three goals and four assists) before leaving to play in Russia.
This will be Calder's first game of the year as he is coming off a broken leg suffered in an off-ice accident last summer.
"He's just looking to get back and prove he can play and potentially get something set up for next year," Condors coach Matt O'Dette said. "It's going to take some time for him to get into game shape but there's not better way to do that than in a game."
The Condors are in last place in the ECHL with a roster full of rookies and O'Dette said the veteran presence of Calder will certainly be a boost.
"He'll not only help on the ice but in the locker room as well," O'Dette said. "Our young legs can help rejuvenate his game and his experience and wisdom can rub off on our guys."
Calder was a fifth-round draft choice of Chicago in 1997 and played for Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles and Anaheim at the NHL level, amassing 294 points (114 goals, 180 assists).
