Ontario puts away Condors in first period, 3-1
| Monday, Jan 16 2012 08:38 PM
Last Updated Monday, Jan 16 2012 08:42 PM
ONTARIO -- Tristen King scored twice during a three-goal first period as the Ontario Reign held on for a 3-1 victory over the Bakersfield Condors on Monday afternoon at Citizens Business Bank Arena.
Tyler Helfrich scored 5 minutes, 30 seconds into the game to give the Condors a 1-0 lead before the Reign's scoring surge. Erik Burgdoerfer and Evan Rupp assisted on the score.
Helfrich extended his scoring streak to four games. Rupp was making his Condor debut.
C.J. Stretch tied the game with 9:10 left in the period and King put Ontario ahead with 5:37 remaining. King added another tally with less than 30 seconds to go.
The Condors went 0-for-5 on the power play. Bakersfield outshot Ontario 29-26, despite the Reign holding a 12-5 advantage in the opening period.
Bakersfield had chances in the third period. The Condors couldn't capitalize on a three-on-one midway through the frame and forward Alex Hudson missed from point-blank range in the final minutes.
Bakersfield attempted 15 shots during the period.
Condors goaltender Bryan Pitton recorded 23 saves. Reign goalie Chris Carrozzi had 28. Matt Keetley backed up Pitton in his first game back from the AHL.
The Condors play 6 p.m. games Thursday and Friday in Utah. They return for a six-game homestand beginning Jan. 25 against Alaska.
