Condors' spirits high despite early-season woes
| Thursday, Dec 08 2011 11:08 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Dec 08 2011 11:10 PM
Stockton at Condors
When/where: 7 p.m., Rabobank Arena
Radio: KHTY (970 AM)
Records: Thunder 10-8-3, Condors 5-14-3
Series: Bakersfield is 0-1-0
Notes: Defenseman Alain Goulet, who has missed the last nine games with an injury, will be back in the lineup tonight. Defenseman Joe Loprieno did not practice all week and was placed on the 3-day IR on Thursday. Also not practicing this week was team leading scorer Scott Freeman (22 points). Coach Matt O'Dette said it would be a game day decision as to whether Freeman plays tonight. Back on the ice this week after taking last week off due to injury was goaltender Matt Keetley, who will likely start in net tonight ... The Condors are last in the league in goals scored (2.36) and the Thunder are next to last at 2.43. Both teams also struggle on the power play. Bakersfield is last at 13.8 percent and Stockton next to last at 14.3.
Practice had ended late Thursday morning at Rabobank Arena when coach Matt O'Dette gathered the defensemen for a little extra work.
As the defensemen went through pass/shooting drills they were chirped from the bench by forwards Mathew Sisca and Jesse Gimblett. Each shot that missed the net drew comments, mostly from Gimblett, who was clearly having fun.
Wins have been elusive for the Condors, but spirits obviously remain high, which O'Dette said is paramount as the Condors try to break out of an 0-8-2 funk.
"You have to remain positive," O'Dette said. "When negativity and 'poor me' sets in then you're in trouble."
There was certainly no time for self pity this week as O'Dette used a five-day break from game action to work on details.
"I'll tell you what, it's amazing what you can get accomplished when you have time to do it," O'Dette said. "Having the last two weeks, being able to sit down and pinpoint things we need to work on and then hit them in depth with video, on-ice demonstrating and slowing it down -- it's been good. I think we've got a lot accomplished."
The week of practice also allowed three new players -- defenseman Tyson Gimblett and forwards Bobby Dee and Chris Kusheriuck all-time to get to know their teammates. Gimblett actually got in one practice last week and Dee and Kusheriuck met their new teammates for the first time last Friday morning before that night's game.
"They kind of got thrown into the fire last week without any practice," O'Dette said. "I think they feel more comfortable now."
And now the Condors face what O'Dette says will be their most physically challenging series of the season -- three straight games against a very physical Stockton Thunder. The series starts tonight in Bakersfield then heads up Highway 99 for games on Saturday and Sunday.
"There's no better team to roll in here," said O'Dette, who finished his playing career in Stockton and was the assistant coach there the past two seasons. "We're going to see what guys are made of. It's going to be a battle. It's not going to be for the timid.
"This is one for the gutsy, character-type players. They are the ones who are going to stand out. Friday night in our building might be a ticket you want as a fan."
