Bakersfield got up off the mat and fought their way back into the Pacific Division Finals with a wild 7-6 overtime win at San Diego on Wednesday night.
Staring at a possible 3-0 series deficit, the Condors tied the game with 10.5 seconds left in regulation and won it on William Lagesson‘s goal just 33 seconds into the extra session.
The top two offensive teams in the AHL during the regular season combined for 13 goals in Game 3.
Bakersfield erased a 6-4 deficit with two goals in the final nine minutes of regulation, including Tyler Benson‘s equalizer in the waning moments — the Condors’ first goal this season with the goaltender pulled for an extra attacker.
Joe Gambardella had a five-point night for Bakersfield, recording a hat trick before assisting on both the game-tying and game-winning goals.
Brad Malone added a goal and three assists for the Condors. Benson had two assists to go along with his goal, and Ethan Bear scored for the second consecutive game.
Adam Cracknell led the Gulls with a goal and two assists, his second straight three-point outing. Kalle Kossila and Kiefer Sherwood scored 11 seconds apart early in the middle stanza to wipe out a 3-1 Condors lead, and Corey Tropp and Sam Steel scored in the third to put San Diego ahead 6-4.
In his first action for the Condors since Mar. 8, Stuart Skinner stopped 10 of 12 shots and earned the win in relief of Shane Starrett (13 saves).
Jeff Glass made 30 saves and took the loss.
It was the ninth time this season that Bakersfield scored at least seven goals in a game.
Up 2-1 in the series, San Diego will host Game 4 on Friday.
Pacific Division Finals – Series “L” (best-of-7)
P1-Bakersfield Condors vs. P3-San Diego Gulls
Game 1 – Fri., May 3 – San Diego 3, BAKERSFIELD 2 (4OT) | Recap/Highlights
Game 2 – Sat., May 4 – San Diego 4, BAKERSFIELD 1 | Recap/Highlights
Game 3 – Wed., May 8 – Bakersfield 7, SAN DIEGO 6 (OT)
Game 4 – Fri., May 10 – Bakersfield at San Diego, 10:00
Game 5 – Sat., May 11 – San Diego at Bakersfield, 10:00
*Game 6 – Mon., May 13 – Bakersfield at San Diego, 10:00
*Game 7 – Wed., May 15 – San Diego at Bakersfield, 10:00
*if necessary… All times Eastern
