Condors complete weekend sweep of Alaska
| Sunday, Nov 22 2009 10:41 PM
Last Updated Sunday, Nov 22 2009 10:42 PM
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Henry A. Barrios / The Californian Condors #8 Dan Sexton gets ready for a shot as Alaska's goalie #33 Scott Reid and # 9 Derick Martin defend in their Sunday game.
Henry A. Barrios / The Californian Condors #9 Andrew Ianiero tries to skate around an official as an unidentified Alaska defender sticks close by in their Sunday evening game.
Having just finished playing three grueling games in three days, the Condors got in a little extra skate Sunday evening at Rabobank Arena.
But after completing a three-game sweep of the Alaska Aces with a 4-2 victory, there wasn't much reason to complain as they took the ice to skate with season ticket holders.
After all, they get a much deserved day off today.
And for Dan Sexton, it was a weekend to remember.
Sexton assisted on a power-play goal, scored a short-hander for the second straight night and sealed the win by winding up and sending a slap shot into an empty net from about 160 feet away with 40 seconds left.
It was a 10-point weekend for Sexton, who, naturally, was the No. 1 star for the third straight night.
"We're having a lot of fun, right now," Sexton said of the Condors, who have won four straight, seven of their last eight and are atop the ECHL Pacific Division at 12-6-0.
After two high-scoring wins, this one was tight all the way.
The Condors took a 1-0 lead on a power-play goal by Stephane Goulet 6:59 into the game only to have the Aces answer at 9:25 when Scott Burk got one past Timo Pielmeier.
Shawn Weller's power-play goal 16:21 into the second period put Bakersfield up 2-1.
The Aces went on a power play 8:19 into the third period and 30 seconds later, Sexton beat Scott Reid for a short-handed goal to put the Condors up 3-1.
"It was just one of those plays," he said. "I saw they had a forward playing defense and knew sometimes they don't react as quick as a D-man. I pushed it past then charged down as fast I could. They threw a couple of hooks but I got the shot off. It was good for the team to go up by two."
Really good since the Aces got that one back on a power-play goal by Nick Mazzolini a minute later to make it a one-goal game.
The Aces pulled their goaltender with a minute left to get a man advantage, which led to Sexton's insurance goal.
Asked how much confidence it took to fire a slap shot at the net from just above your own face-off circle, Sexton said none.
"Mostly, it was not thinking," he said. "I just turned and shot it. I didn't even look. I'm glad it went in."
Condors coach Marty Raymond said he thought it would be a low-scoring game as both teams were tired.
"I felt we needed to play good defensive hockey and we did that," he said. "They're a good team and never quit and we had to have a lot of mental toughness. We weren't being too complicated and got better and better as the game went on . We played smart hockey."
Pielmeier (6-4-0) stopped 23 shots for his third straight win.
NOTES
After playing four games over a span of five days, the Condors have four days off before winding up a six-game home stand by hosting Las Vegas next Friday and Saturday.
A pro Scout for St. Louis was in the house on Sunday, making three straight nights of having one or more scouts in the building. Also on hand was David McNab, senior vice president of hockey for the Ducks.
Stephane Goulet extended his point streak to five games while Mathieu Aubin has points in four straight.
