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BY MIKE GRIFFITH Californian staff writer
Saturday, Mar 31 2012 10:28 PM
The Utah Grizzlies were playing for playoff positioning Saturday night at Rabobank Arena. The Bakersfield Condors, for pride.
Playoff positioning won out as the determined Grizzlies sent the Condors into the offseason with a 4-0 loss before 6,556 in the final ECHL game of the regular season.
"It's disappointing," Condors coach Matt O'Dette said the final game. "We wanted to put on a much better show for our fans and that's what I'm most disappointed about.
"With that being said I'm proud of the guys and the way they've battled the last couple of months. It's been a pleasure to watch these guys come together and grow as young hockey players."
The game was a complete reversal from Friday night when the Condors dominated the game.
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Perhaps it was a glimpse into the future Friday night at Rabobank Arena.
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By the time the Alaska Aces get back to Anchorage early next week they'll have spent more than two weeks on the road.
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The Condors aren't making the playoffs this season, but team president Matthew Riley said the building blocks for success are firmly in place, including coach Matt O'Dette.
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The Bakersfield Condors registered a California hat trick -- with all three California natives scoring -- and fended off a late rally to defeat the Stockton Thunder 6-5 on Friday at Stockton.
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It is now officially over.
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At Liberty
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LAS VEGAS -- The Bakersfield Condors won their third straight, receiving 40 saves from goalie Bryan Pitton and toppled the Las Vegas Wranglers 4-3 on Sunday afternoon at Orleans Arena.
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No doubt about it, the Bakersfield Condors are playing out the season on their terms.
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Justin Pender had two goals from long range, Robby Dee had two from close range and the Condors rolled to a 5-2 victory over Utah Friday night at Rabobank Arena before 6,252.
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It's a bit of unfamiliar territory for the Bakersfield Condors organization and head coach Matt O'Dette: preparing for the final games of a regular season with no prospect of reaching the playoffs.
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The air of inevitability hung over a silent Condors locker room Wednesday night at Rabobank Arena.
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A night reserved for ladies, the eighth annual Hockey-Thon, three straight homes games and an offer of free tickets for the unemployed.