Condors strike early, top Thunder
| Thursday, Oct 08 2009 11:20 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Oct 08 2009 11:20 PM
STOCKTON -- Defenseman Sasha Pokuluk scored less than three minutes into the game and the Bakersfield Condors went on to beat the Stockton Thunder 3-1 in their preseason opener Thurday.
Bobby Bolt and Christer Andersson also scored for the Condors, and Bakersfield goaltender Timo Pielmeier made 26 saves.
Pokulok scored on a slap shot from the point with a two-man advantage in the first period. Forward Logan MacMillan and defenseman Shaun Fisher assisted.
Stockton evened the score at 1 when former Condor Steve Slonina converted a penalty shot three minutes later.
The Condors regained the lead with 3:36 remaining in the first period. Forward Matthew Myers stole the puck along the boards and found Bolt in the slot. Bolt beat Thunder goalie Bryan Pitton to make it 2-1.
Andersson increased the Condors' lead to 3-1 with 8:56 remaining in the third period. MacMillan and Pokulok picked up the assists.
Stockton and Bakersfield will meet again at 7 p.m. Saturday at Rabobank Arena.
It will be the Condors' final preseason game.
