The Bakersfield Condors are set to play their seventh road game of the season with a Sunday matinee against the San Jose Barracuda at TECH CU Arena in San Jose, California, with puck drop scheduled for 3 p.m.
With a 3-5-0 record and 6 points in the American Hockey League, the Condors will start goaltender Samuel Jonsson for the first time in his AHL career. Jonsson earned this opportunity after appearing in relief during the third period of the Condors’ last game against the Abbotsford Canucks.
The Condors come off a 5-1 loss to Abbotsford, in which James Stefan scored the team’s only goal in his season debut following a season-ending injury last year. Stefan previously scored 17 goals in 34 games with the Fort Wayne Komets last season.
The Bakersfield lineup for the game will be without Daniels Aku Raty, who is out due to illness, and Damien Carfagna, who is sidelined with injury. John Gormley is expected to make his Bakersfield debut against his former team, the Barracuda.
Offensively, the Condors have scored just four first-period goals in eight games this season but have been more productive late, outscoring opponents 11-6 in the third period. Their opponent, the San Jose Barracuda, hold a 3-6-0 record and 6 points but have allowed a league-worst 4.56 goals against per game. San Jose’s Andre Gasseau leads the team with five goals in nine games.
A player to watch for Bakersfield is Viljami Marjala, who recorded 11 points (2 goals, 9 assists) in eight games against San Jose last season, including four multi-point efforts.
CSB Take
Samuel Jonsson’s first start in goal provides a fresh look for the Bakersfield Condors as they try to change momentum during a challenging early season. Facing a Barracuda defense that has struggled defensively offers the Condors an opportunity to find offense and gain confidence. The game also marks important roster developments with the debut of John Gormley and the return of James Stefan, setting the stage for Bakersfield’s pursuit of consistency in the AHL.
Source: Original report
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