Bulls Split Weekend Series As They Fall To Bakersfield: Game Recap
San Francisco Bulls v Bakersfield Condors, February 10, 2013 – Photos Courtesy of Mike Tkacheff via SFBulls.com
The Bulls come away with a split as they dropped this afternoon’s contest four to two to the Bakersfield Condors. The Bulls got two goals from Peter Sivak, but it was not enough as the Condors’ goalie Brian Stewart had an amazing night as he stopped 40 of the 42 shots he faced. Making his first start since December, Thomas Heemskerk had a rough night as he only stopped 11 of the 15 shots he faced. The game was marred by chippy play as the teams combined for 25 penalties for 78 penalty minutes.
First Period:
The first period was a typical slow start for the Bulls. They took two early penalties to give the Condors an early opportunity to take the lead. The Bulls penalty kill picked up right where they left off as they killed off the two to keep it scoreless. The Condors would open up the scoring as Kyle Haines would convert on an odd man during a four on four. The Bulls would get a power play opportunity right before the end of the period, but it would be the Condors who capitalized to make it a two goal. Jacob Lagace would a take a perfect outlet pass and beat Heemskerk for his 13th goal of the season. The Bulls would out shoot the Condors 11 to eight.
Second Period:
The Bulls would get off to a much better start in the second as they looked to get back into the game. They would find their answer just 3:07 into the second as Peter Sivak would capitalize on an early Bakersfield penalty to cut the lead to just one. The goal was Sivak’s 22nd on the year and Marek Viedensky and Cody Carlson combined on the assists. It would be short lived as just a minute later the Condors would answer right back as Scott Freeman would score his second of the season to push the lead back out to two. The two teams would get undisciplined as they combined for five power play chances after the Bakersfield goal. Both penalty kill units would be up to task as the scored stayed at Bakersfield with the three to one lead. The Bulls out shot the Condors 16 to two.
Third Period:
The Bulls again would have the majority of the jump throughout the period as they battled to get back into the game. The Bulls would get an early opportunity on the power play as Jacob Lagace would take a hooking penalty. The Bulls would fail to capitalize but it allowed them to get some momentum for the rest of the period. The Bulls would get their answer with just 3:42 remaining in the period at Peter Sivak would net his second of the game and 23rd of the season to get the Bulls back to within a single goal. Just like in the second the Condors would answer back quickly as Nicholas Tremblay’s 12th of the season would be the put away goal to seal the victory for the Condors.
This game was determined by the play of the goalie. Bakersfield got outstanding goalie play from their net minder Brian Stewart as he saved 40 shots. On the other end of the spectrum there was the play of Bulls’ goalie Thomas Heemskerk, who was dealing with the rust of not playing since the end of December, as he only allowed four goals and had 11 saves. The Bulls got two goals from Peter Sivak as he was able to cut the deficit to one both times. The Bulls had plenty of chances as the only went one for nine on the power play, but they killed off all six of the Condors’ chances. The Bulls fall to 18-24-7 and the Condors improve to 15-34-5. The Bulls now own the season series 6-3-1. The Bulls will travel to Idaho as they take on the Steelheads on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Three Stars:
- Brian Stewart – Bakersfield
- Peter Sivak – San Francisco
- Kyle Haines – Bakersfield