The 19th annual East Coast Hockey League All-star Classic was hosted at Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena on Jan. 26. The ECHL All-stars won 9-3 leaving the crowd of Condors fans upset, but unsurprised.
An arena of 7,397 hockey fans attended the game to see the Condors go against the ECHL All-stars. Many Bakersfield residents came to cheer on their home team. Others traveled from various locations to see the 2011 All-star Classic.
This year’s game took an unusual format from most ECHL All-star Classics. Instead of both teams being groups of all-stars, the Bakersfield Condors went against the best of the ECHL.
Prior to the game, a meet and greet was held at the Bakersfield Marriot ballroom on Truxtun Avenue, Jan. 25. Fans had a chance to chat with players, get autographs, as well as view the Stanley Cup and the ECHL Championship Trophy, the Patrick J. Kelly Cup. The Stanley Cup was also taken to the Pediatrics Unit at Memorial Hospital earlier in the day.
During the game the trophies were on display at the Condors photo booth. Fans lined up to get photographs standing next to the two trophies.
Various skill competitions took place at the opening of the event including, fastest skater, king of the shoot-out, hardest shot, and shooting accuracy. After the opening competitions, the singing of the Canadian and American national anthems began the game.
ECHL All-star Mark Arcobello made the first goal 2:06 minutes into the game. This set a precedent for the rest of the period. All-stars Chris Langkow, and Ryan Ginand made two more goals in the first period. The Condors made no goals.
The game being held in Condorstown, some attendees were filled with contempt that their team was playing a group of All-star players. Others were simply joyous at the fact that they got to witness an all-star Classic in their hometown, along with getting a look at the Stanley Cup.
At the end of the first period, Condors fan Matt Elliot spoke of the control the all-stars had over the Condors.
“At first I didn’t think they would [dominate], seeing how they’re just a bunch of different teams thrown together into one,” he said.
“I figured they might struggle a little bit, not having really worked together, but it’s looking like they have a bit of an advantage.”
Bakersfield Condor’s remained goalless in the game until 1:28 minutes into the second period with a goal by Joel Broda, assisted by Barry Goers and Guillaume Lefebvre.
Condors fans cheered in the audience loyally at every attempt and completion of a goal and even took part in a massive wave that spread throughout the arena. Jeers were shouted by the crowd toward the all-star players with each of their many goals.
The game continued in the same direction for most of the following two periods.
Two more goals were made by the all-stars in the second period and four in the third period. Some points in the game gave Condor fans a bit of hope, gaining two points in the second and one more in the third.
Actor Kevin Connolly made an appearance between periods along with Texas Rangers Pitcher and former Bakersfield College Renegade, Colby Lewis.
Pascal Morency scored the second point for the Condors with assists from Vyacheslav Trukhno and Brad Snetsinger at 17:32 minutes in the second period. The last point for the condors was scored by Joel Broda 4:16 minutes into the third period, unassisted.
Stockton Thunder fan Jim Blair, from Lodi, traveled to see the all-star game and expressed his puzzlement about the format, “It’s something different for me to see one team against the all-stars. When we had the all-stars game, we had all all-stars.
“It’s different. I’m glad I came, so far.”
Condors fan, Valarie Carrillo said, “it was exciting to see the best of other teams come and play against our team.”
Carrillo felt that despite the loss, it was not unfair to put the Condors against a team of all-stars. “Our team is good; I think they could hold their own.”