Condors launch dramatic comeback to beat Canucks 6-5 after shootout

The situation looked dire for the Condors, when Dmitri Zlodeev scored his first AHL goal of the season 2:01 into the third period. It gave the Canucks a 5-2 lead, on a night when they had outplayed their hosts during the first 40 minutes.

All the talk about Olivier Rodrigue being called up by the Oilers was now looking ill advised. After at one point leading all AHL goalies in save percentage, he had now allowed a combined nine goals in less than two games.

Even when Ben Gleason pulled the Condors to within 5-3 at the 6:20 mark of the third period, it still seemed like they had given themselves too much to do. However, this is a team which just won't quit.

An unlikely comeback

The players kept fighting and when Matvey Petrov scored with just under four minutes remaining to make it 5-4, it was suddenly game on again. After being outshot 25-15 through the first two periods, the Condors would have a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal during the final 20 minutes.

Lane Pederson had scored the Condors' first goal of the game on the power play back in the second period, to make it 1-1. He repeated the trick in the third period with just 31 seconds remaining, to tie the game at 5-5 and send it into overtime.

The Condors continued to outplay the Canucks during the overtime period, but just couldn't get that vital winning goal. As a result, the game went to the dreaded shootout, still tied at 5-5.

Once there, the shootout went an agonizing seven rounds, before Seth Griffith scored what turned out to be the game-clinching goal. The Condors had come all the way back, to prove their mental fortitude in an enthralling 6-5 win.

Pederson was awarded the game's First Star, as a result of his two regulation goals and a further one during the shootout. Petrov was awarded the Second Star, while Drake Caggiula notched two assists and now leads the team with 19 points.

The points streak continues

The Condors continue their longest points streak of the season, taking 12 out of a possible 14. They also improved to 11-1-3 in games when they scored at least three goals.

Rodrigue had his worst statistical game of the season, after allowing five goals and finishing with a .844 save percentage. If nothing else though, at least he shut up shop after allowing his fifth goal, to play a small part in the comeback from three goals down.

Postgame, Condors coach Colin Chaulk acknowledged it wasn't one of their better games, but at least they found a way to win. Speaking to the media, he said:

We weren't great (at the start), but then we got momentum and got ahead 2-1. We didn't feel we were at our best, and those are moments we'll talk about as a team and understand there's going to be games you really deserve and play hard and may not get. But be thankful and fortunate when you stick to the plan and are maybe not at your best, good teams find a way to get points and not only that, close it out and get the win.

With the win the Condors improve to 13-10-3, remaining eighth in the Pacific Division, but with at least three games in hand on everyone above them in the standings. Next up, they will travel to San Diego to face the Gulls on Friday night.