Wranglers Show Fight, But Fall Short in OT Against Condors
After a tough weekend sweep at the hands of the San Jose Barracuda, the Calgary Wranglers were looking for a spark - something to jolt them back into rhythm. A players-only meeting and some roster shuffling set the tone heading into a one-game stop in Bakersfield. It wasn’t the full turnaround they hoped for, but the Wranglers showed signs of life in a gritty 3-2 overtime loss to the Condors.
Let’s break it down.
Roster Shake-Up Brings New Faces and Familiar Ones
The Wranglers made some notable changes ahead of puck drop. Justin Kirkland returned to the AHL after clearing waivers from the Flames, immediately slotting into the top line.
On the back end, Calgary added right-shot defenseman Gavin White via a trade with Dallas, sending Jeremie Poirier the other way. White wasted no time making his debut, pairing with Nick Cicek - who was back in the lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury.
To make room, Alex Gallant and Etienne Morin were scratched.
Lines vs. Bakersfield:
Forwards:
- Rory Kerins - Justin Kirkland - William Stromgren
- Dryden Hunt - Sam Morton - Martin Frk
- Carter King - Clark Bishop - Aydar Suniev
- Parker Bell - David Silye - Lucas Ciona
Defense:
- Nick Cicek - Gavin White
- Artem Grushnikov - Daniil Miromanov
- Turner Ottenbreit - Simon Mack
Starting Goalie: Arsenii Sergeev
First Period: Tension, Scraps, and a Scoreless Start
Arsenii Sergeev got the nod in net, coming off a relief appearance in the previous game. Across the ice, Bakersfield turned to Connor Ungar.
The game had a little extra edge early on, with a hint of that classic Flames-Oilers rivalry trickling down to their AHL affiliates. Turner Ottenbreit got tangled up trying to bat down a puck in the defensive zone, drawing a crowd but no whistles.
Calgary earned the first power play of the night at 3:12, but couldn’t generate much - in fact, they gave up a shorthanded look. Midway through the frame, Lucas Ciona and Brady Stonehouse dropped the gloves in a spirited tilt near the Condors bench. Bakersfield carried the better of the chances late in the period, but Gavin White made an early impression with a confident shift and the Wranglers’ final shot of the frame.
After 20 minutes: 0-0, shots 10-5 Bakersfield.
Second Period: Bishop Opens It Up, Condors Answer
The second period brought more physicality - and finally, some scoring. Martin Frk and Riley Stillman had a heated exchange that led to offsetting minors. A few minutes later, Calgary broke through.
At 12:29, Aydar Suniev and Turner Ottenbreit helped keep a play alive in the offensive zone. Simon Mack held the blue line and dished it to Clark Bishop, whose shot took a fortunate deflection off a Condors defender and found the back of the net. A gritty, earned goal - and a 1-0 lead for the Wranglers.
But the lead didn’t last long. Less than two minutes later, Luke Prokop fired a point shot that beat Sergeev clean to tie things up at 1-1. Calgary killed off a late penalty to Dryden Hunt and went into the intermission still knotted.
After 40 minutes: 1-1, shots 14-9 Bakersfield in the second, 24-14 Condors overall.
Third Period: Howard Strikes Early, Morton Forces OT
The Wranglers got caught sleeping to start the third. Just 24 seconds in, Isaac Howard buried a one-timer to give Bakersfield a 2-1 lead.
Shortly after, Martin Frk collided with Rhett Pitlick and needed help getting off the ice. He stayed in the game, but the play resulted in a Wranglers power play.
Calgary rolled out an aggressive five-forward unit, but had to make a quick adjustment when Frk was sent back to the bench. Kirkland stepped in, but the Wranglers couldn’t capitalize.
As the clock ticked down, Calgary pushed hard for the equalizer. They pulled Sergeev with just over two minutes to go - and it paid off.
With 1:05 left in regulation, Sam Morton found twine off another Condors deflection. That’s four goals in three games for Morton, who’s heating up at the right time.
After regulation: 2-2, shots 8-4 Calgary in the third.
Overtime: Howard Ends It, Wranglers Settle for a Point
In overtime, the Wranglers opened with Kirkland, Kerins, and Cicek. Their best look came 1:24 in when Dryden Hunt got a shot off Ungar’s body.
But Bakersfield turned the play the other way, and once again it was Isaac Howard. On a 2-on-1, Gavin White managed to disrupt the pass, but Howard kept it and rifled a shot past Sergeev’s blocker for the winner - his second goal of the night.
Final score: 3-2 Condors (OT)
Final shots: 30-23 Bakersfield
Stat Sheet Highlights
- Clark Bishop: 1 goal
- Sam Morton: 1 goal (4 goals in last 3 games)
- Justin Kirkland, Turner Ottenbreit, Simon Mack, Dryden Hunt: 1 assist each
What’s Next?
The Wranglers finish their road trip 0-2-1, but they’ll head home with at least a point in their pocket and some much-needed momentum. They'll look to regroup in front of their fans with back-to-back games against the Tucson Roadrunners this Friday and Saturday.
Puck drop Friday is set for 7:00 p.m. MT.
If this team can build off the compete level they showed in Bakersfield - and get a little puck luck to go their way - they might just be ready to turn the corner.