2005 ends with a victory

Published on January 1, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Victoria Salmon Kings and the Alaska Aces played the final game of the 2005 portion of the ECHL schedule tonight, a game the Salmon Kings defeated the Aces 5-3.

Victoria opened the scoring at 7:30 on the powerplay, with Aces Forward Barrett Heisten in the box. Defenseman Steve Lingren fired a shot from the blueline that was blocked by Aces Goaltender Matt Underhill. Underhill left the rebound in front of his net for Forward Jade Galbraith to bury his ninth goal of the season.

Alaska tied it up with a powerplay marker at 14:23. Forward Alex Leavitt fed a cross crease pass from the corner that was tipped past Goaltender Rob McVicar, by Forward Chris Minard, for his 24th goal of the season.

Victoria took the lead for the second time in the first period just seconds after killing their second penalty of the game. Galbraith found streaking Forward Mike Wirll who had been held off the score sheet in four straight games. Wirll broke in alone on Underhill and chipped it over the goalies glove hand, just over two and a half minutes after the Aces had tied it up, to give the Salmon Kings the one goal lead.

At 19:25 of the opening stanza Salmon Kings Captain Ryan Wade broke up a play at the Aces blueline and sped in alone on Underhill. Wade deked Underhill out of his pads and beat the goalie upstairs to give the Salmon Kings the 3-1 lead at the first intermission.

Not much happened through the second period of play as the Aces took the play to the Salmon Kings out-shooting the visitors 13-0. McVicar played solid between the pipes throughout the middle 20 minutes, protecting the 3-1 score in favour of Victoria through two.

The Aces opened the score sheet again at 5:04 of the third period. Olivier Filion set up Minard's second of the night and 25th of the season, which squeaked through McVicar to pull Alaska within one.

That did not last long though as Wirll found Defenseman Simon Mangos streaking through the Aces back line. Mangos juked Underhill, who bit, and he put the puck through the goaltender to regain the Salmon Kings two goal lead, at 4-2.

Aces Defenseman Peter Metcalf pulled Alaska within one at 11:58 of the final frame when he picked up a loose puck in the slot and fired it high over McVicar's glove to make the score 4-3.

Wade completed the victory at 19:35 when he walked in on Underhill's vacated net and amid flying Aces sticks and everything they could throw at him, the Captain buried Alaska's 16 game unbeaten streak, and put to rest the Salmon Kings six game losing skid.

Victoria finished 1-5 on the powerplay while the Aces converted two of their seven chances with the man advantage. McVicar earned his third win of the season while Underhill was charged his fourth loss, in front of 5884 at the Sullivan Arena.

The Salmon Kings staff and players would like to wish all a Happy New Year and best wishes in 2006.

The Salmon Kings return to the ice on Thursday January 5, 2006 against the Fresno Falcons at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Tickets for all Salmon Kings home games are available at Select Your Tickets at the arena, online at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at 250-220-7777. To purchase Season, Half Season, Super Saturdays, Crazy Eights, Mini-Packs or Group Ticket Packages please contact Devin Mazur at 250-220-7888 ext.1.

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