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Wednesday, Nov 10 2010 10:22 PM

Fourth straight loss results in post-game skate

By Condors Talk

The Condors looked like a team in the midst of a nasty losing string on Wednesday night at Rabobank Arena, suffering a second-period collapse and falling to the Utah Grizzlies 4-2.

It was the fourth straight loss for a team which has been outscored 18-4 during that period and by the end of the game coach Marty Raymond had seen enough: he waited for the ice to be resurfaced then brought the players back onto the ice to skate lines in the empty arena.

After that he barked out a few sentences to the players, which should leave no doubt in anyone's mind as to where he stands.

The reason for the extra skate and verbal outburst was a second period during which Raymond felt the team quit trying after a turnover on a Bakersfield power-play led to a short-handed goal and 2-0 Utah lead. Five minutes later it was 4-0 as the Grizzlies went around Condor players as easy as navigating pylons.

Which is why Raymond sent the players back for a little extra work.

Yes, the Condors are missing several players due to injury. But Raymond left no doubt on Wednesday that there is no excuse for not playing hard.

That, he told his players in more colorful words, is not acceptable under any circumstance.

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