It wasn’t a pretty week for the Bakersfield Condors. Entering April on a high after winning three straight, the Condors are now losers of their last three games.

In the three games Bakersfield lost, they allowed 17 goals against, which is an easy recipe for disaster, and the offence wasn’t much better. The Condors scored eight goals in the three games, which isn’t awful, but they could only muster up 25 shots against Colorado (5-2 loss), 26 against San Diego (6-3 loss), and 23 against Ontario (6-3 loss). It’s not a shockingly low amount of shots, but for being down throughout most of all the games they played, I expected them to push back a little bit more. The third period against the Ontario Reign was especially deflating as they entered the last 20 minutes only down by a goal in a game that was quite even until this point.

Unfortunately, they gave up a goal just 2:18 into the third period and were never able to recover as Bakersfield managed to get only three shots on goal past that point. Matt Tomkins got the nod for two of the three starts, giving up nine goals and sporting a .845 save percentage. Calvin Pickard got the start against San Diego, and he got shelled for six goals against. Overall, the whole team could have been better, and they will need to be better down the stretch.

On Wednesday, the Condors start a three-game homestand, and the lead-off game is against the Tucson Roadrunners, but the bigger games are against the San Diego Gulls on Friday and Saturday. With six games remaining in the regular season for both teams, the Condors lead the Gulls by four points for the sixth spot in the tight Pacific Division. Speaking of how tight the division is, as I said, the Condors are four points up on seventh place, and Bakersfield is only five points out of third place. One good winning streak to end the season can have you in third, but one bad losing streak can leave you in seventh come playoffs.

With the tough week, there wasn’t a real set of standout players, but if I had to choose one player, it would be Isaac Howard once again. The Oilers’ top prospect had a goal and an assist in the three games to put him up to 44 points on the season in 42 games, still maintaining his incredible point per game pace. The one goal scored by Howard came on the power play against the Colorado Eagles, where he once again showcased his one-timer.

I love how it’s a power play, but Howard doesn’t stand still for a second. You watch a ton of young highly skilled players on a power play and a good amount of the time they will stand around waiting for the puck to work to them, Howard isn’t like this. The American winger is constantly moving trying to help open a passing lane and get himself away from defenders to get his shot off. Once Howard has the room, he is able to score from a plethora of angles. The former first-rounder also had his assist come on the power play with a great look backdoor to Roby Järventie, who did his best Zach Hyman impression as you will see below.

I continue to be impressed with Howard and what he brings to the game outside of scoring. The Oilers need good players on cheap contracts and I do believe they will have that in the “Ice Man” next year. Viljami Marjala also had himself a decent showing in the three games. On the box score all he had to show was an assist against Colorado, but the Finnish centre was continuing to display the playmaking skills that has him at 37 assists this season. Marjala is especially dangerous when he is working below the goal line, here are two examples from the three game stretch of the playmaking Finn setting up two chances from under the goal line.

It’s no secret that Marjala’s magic lies in his passing ability and it continues to create offence for the Condors, the former Buffalo Sabre draft pick is now at 51 points in 66 games played. The skating still needs to take a step in my opinion, but Marjala’s ability to pass around pressure helps him navigate on the ice. In the next clip below of Marjala it shows his ability to drag in the defender and welcome on pressure to open up a passing lane.

I haven’t brought his name up in a while, but Damien Carfagna has had his moments throughout the year and one of my favourite attributes of his is the natural ability to stay tight on players defensively. In the next clip below it’s Damien Carfagna versus six-foot-six, 198-pound, 10th overall pick, Roger McQueen. Watch how well the former Buckeye defends.

Carfagna doesn’t stop his feet from moving as he gains inside positioning and the cherry on top is that he draws a penalty before he slings a pass across for a scoring chance. The mobile defenceman is able to stay tight onto players due to his skating ability and as long as he keeps his feet moving it makes up for any size defect he has defensively. As for his offence, Carfagna continues to show a flash every once in awhile. To end it off Roby Järventie and Quinn Hutson each had some good moments. Järventie continues to be the glue on a lot of plays, if it’s not for his part the play would fail to happen. The Finnish winger shows a good case of this down below.

The clip starts with Jarventie holding off pressure on his back and ends with him sending a beautiful one-touch pass for a great chance on net. The strong winger makes these plays look so simple when in reality they are incredibly difficult and the next clip is along the same lines as this.

First off the goal is a beautiful play from everyone involved, however Järventie is able to deal with pressure and stick checks like they aren’t there. The former second-rounder is excellent at keeping that puck in his hip pocket and away from the defenders. As for Hutson he was able to score two goals and is now up to 29 goals and 58 points in 61 games played this season. Both of the Boston University alum’s goals went in glove side with the goal below getting a lucky roll into the net.

Hutson does look off Howard in this situation so good thing that puck found its way into the back of the net. The puck hasn’t been going in as of late but maybe this two-goal game can strike something into Hutson just in time for the playoffs. Overall the kids have had a good season up to this date and this highlight pack doesn’t include Beau Akey who has had some great moments, especially defensively. There is a lot to be excited about with the future of not only the Oilers, but the Condors as well. There should be a lot of returning faces next year with some newer and maybe younger faces joining the organization. As for this season the Condors will continue to gear up for a hopeful playoff run.

Edmonton hockey fans — think you and your crew know playoff hockey? Prove it at the Nation Playoff Draft Party on Friday, April 17th at the River Cree Resort & Casino. Build your playoff roster, compete against other teams throughout the postseason, and battle for $2,500 cash and Nation bragging rights. Team entry is $1,000 for groups of 8, which includes dinner and your first bevy. The night will be hosted by Ryder & Lisa from The Sauce and Tyler & Liam from ON Everyday, so expect plenty of energy, competition, and chirps. Spots are limited — sign your team up now at nationgear.ca. All proceeds from the event support KidSport Edmonton, helping ensure local kids can stay in the game.