Derlago Extends Point Streak to Seven Games as Steelheads Top Condors

Mark Derlago?s return to Bakersfield was a pleasant one as the Idaho Steelheads (28-11-2) defeated the Bakersfield Condors (26-12-3) 6-3 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield; the game marked the first matchup this season between the National Conference?s two division leaders. Derlago registered four assists in the game, and Evan Barlow chipped in with a pair of goals and a pair of assists. Bakersfield tallied 85 minutes in penalties collectively in tonight?s contest. Evan Barlow followed-up his five-point performance in Sunday?s 8-5 win over Las Vegas with the first goal in tonight?s game; a power play tally that came as Barlow deposited a back-door pass from Mark Derlago behind Bakersfield?s All-Star goalie and Anaheim Ducks prospect Timo Pielmeier. The goal came at 3:14 of the opening period. Barlow was again involved when the Steelheads extended the lead to 2-0 just 60 seconds later; Barlow?s shot from the right circle was tipped home by Tyler Spurgeon. Dustin Friesen also assisted on the goal. Before eight minutes could tick away in the second, the Condors clawed back to tie the game at 2-2. Mathieu Aubin scored a power play goal on a back-door pass at 5:49, and less than two minutes later Nick Kemp knocked home a rebound for Bakersfield?s second tally. After a scramble in front of the Condors net, Kevin DeVergilio regained the lead for Idaho with his 10th of the season; Derlago and Barlow earned assists on the goal that secured a lead for the Steelheads entering the second intermission. In an eventful third period that had no shortage of post-whistle activity, the Steelheads tacked on three more goals; the first of which came just 28 seconds into the period as Marty Flichel fired a one-timer into the net on the power play for his 10th of the season, assisted by Barlow and Derlago. Ryan Donally pulled Bakersfield to within a goal at 15:49 with his third of the season, but the Steelheads answered just 1:12 later with Barlow scoring his 20th of the season. Mark Derlago sent a circle-to-circle pass from the right side, and Barlow sent the puck home. Following the goal, Bakersfield?s Mark Mitera cross-checked Spurgeon from behind, and Spurgeon did not miss any action. With just 32 seconds remaining, DeVergilio scored his 11th of the season to extend the lead to 6-3, which is how the game would end. John Swanson picked up the lone assist on the goal. Following this game, Evan Barlow has nine points in his last two games; he had four points this evening. In his return to Bakersfield, Mark Derlago picked up four helpers, and he now has 19 points during his current seven-game point streak. Rejean Beauchemin earned the victory; he is 15-6-1 after stopping 26 of 29 Bakersfield shots. Timo Pielmeier falls to 19-10-3; he stopped 26 of 32 shots. The two teams are back in action tomorrow night at 8:00 PM MST. The Steelheads? next home game is February 10th against Utah.