It was a three-game week for the Bakersfield Condors, and it started off strong with a 5-2 win against the Tucson Roadrunners last Wednesday.

The win halted a three-game losing streak and started a mini winning streak of their own after they beat the San Diego Gulls on Friday by a score of 5-3. Unfortunately, the Condors ultimately lost the second game of the back-to-back against the Gulls by a final of 7-3, with two of the goals scored against being on an empty net. Matt Tomkins got the opening start and the second start of the back-to-back, allowing seven goals in the two games, but gave them a chance. Calvin Pickard got the win on Friday after stopping 30 of 33 shots, which included an 18-save third period. The Condors’ offence was humming soundly this week compared to the last few. In my opinion, they were generating more chances from the “home-plate” area and in their one loss, they had a 17-shot period finishing with 39 shots in the game.

William Nicholl and Tommy Lafrèniere both saw their CHL careers come to an end after both suffered first-round losses in the playoffs. However, it was a quick turnaround as they were sent straight to Bakersfield on Amateur Tryouts and dressed for the back-to-back against the Gulls. Both players were slotted on the fourth line for the weekend as they played alongside Daniel D’Amato throughout the weekend. Who could have guessed what would come next? Both players scored their first professional goals over the weekend, and our first clip below is of William Nicholl’s goal, which came on his first shift and first shot.

The sneaky wrister squeezes by the San Diego goalie giving Nicholl his first pro point on his first shift. The former London Knight finished the weekend with four shots, a drawn penalty, and four penalty minutes to go along with his goal, however what was very telling is his ability to carry the puck in transition already at this level. There were multiple instances of Nicholl slicing through the neutral zone with confidence. The next two clips below are examples showing how he can attack the defence with speed.

The first clip is one a coach will love. The two-way centre picks up the loose puck, transitions it quickly, then drops the puck off to Lafrèniere. But Nicholl doesn’t stop there as he completes his route and stops at the net, the left-shot forward almost scores off the available rebound as well. The second video is a great display of his excellent mobility, especially the quick crossovers to gain a full head of steam. For his first two pro games I love the confidence and ability to carve out through the neutral zone, now its just about building on the play after. Sometimes Nicholl will get into the offensive zone and not necessarily have a plan in place for what to do after. This will result in the odd turnover, but that is nothing to worry about at the moment.

Tommy Lafrèniere finished his first professional weekend with a goal and five shots. Nicholl was more involved throughout the weekend and being a centre has a ton to do with it, but it did seem like Lafrèniere was having a tougher time adjusting at the start than Nicholl. The former Kamloops Blazer scored in his second game with the Condors and it was a beautiful release as you will see under this blurb.

Lafrèniere shows us why he was able to score 40 goals in the WHL this season, the release was quick, the shot was heavy, and it was placed perfectly through a screen. The right winger played around 10 minutes each night and was quiet for the most part. I’m excited for the two new guys to start to get more comfortable with the pace and physicality of the AHL and with the Condors missing more bodies both Lafrèniere and Nicholl might see an increase in minutes.

Recently recalled by the big club, Isaac Howard has still continued to show his offensive prowess down in the AHL. Throughout his three games this week the Oilers top prospect scored a goal and added on another two assists, putting his totals to 22 goals and 47 points in 45 games. Against Tucson Howard registered a six shot night and was all over the ice offensively, he only finished the game with one goal but could have had maybe two or three goals. The video below is the goal he did end up converting on against the Roadrunners.

Howard continues to show off that he can get his shot off from any scenario or environment he is placed in. The American prospect continues to find ways to get open and give himself chances to score. The next two clips show him get in behind the defence for partial breaks on net with the second clip ending up in an assist against San Diego.

Excellent passes in both videos, but Howard is getting better at getting himself open. Whether it is in tight or a transition breakaway he is finding ways to get the puck from teammates in advantageous situations. The final clip of the “Ice Man” is his assist from the three games, Howard accepts the drop pass and finds the perfect lane to captain Seth Griffith for the goal.

I keep saying it, but Howard continues to get better with each passing game. Next year he will be a fulltime NHLer and there is no question about that in my mind, I’m feeling more and more confident that he can be an extremely effective scoring forward in the top-nine for cheap. Something the Oilers desperately need.

The Finnish winger had an excellent three game stretch this week. Roby Järventie scored three goals and added on another three assists; bringing his totals to 21 goals and 44 points in 58 games played. Since returning to the Condors from his short stint in Edmonton Järventie has eight points in six games and probably played his best game of the season against the Roadrunners. The former second-rounder started his dominance early and it came with a goal just over five minutes into the game.

Järventie showed a great burst of speed to pull away from the defenders caught flat footed. This kind of pull away speed is what I would like to see more of from Järventie. The wingers second goal of the game came off of a loose puck in front of the net that Järventie was able to locate and tuck under the bar.

Roby had a three point night against San Diego and his assist was just as nice as the goals. I’ve always been a fan of the playmaking ability Järventie carries with him and he can make some real difficult passes/plays look easy. The clip underneath is along those lines.

Järventie just makes the game look so easy at times. The former Ottawa Senators draft pick takes two scans and then anticipates that Regula will go to the open space. Roby must have been feeling himself in this game because everything was executed with confidence and he was starting to show off some of the sneaky high-end skill he has. The final two videos show off his stick handling and ability to make a move in tight.

Järventie seems playoff ready to me and much like Howard I think the Finnish prospect can fight for a roster spot starting next season. I can see a world where Järventie is a fine fourth liner on a cheap deal for the team, but he doesn’t penalty kill and he won’t get powerplay time in the NHL. How many minutes a night would he get? Maybe 10 max? Still I remain intrigued with the package Järventie has to offer for a bottom of the lineup player.

The Condors continue to finish their regular season off as they only have three more games and they are all coming this week. With a spot clinched the Condors will still be playing for seeding in the tight playoff race.