A Weak Run

December 21, 2004 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release

Victoria, BC – The Victoria Salmon Kings struggled during their second week at home and finished with a record of 0-3. The Salmon Kings had six regulars out of the line-up due to injury and suspension, and were unable to carry any momentum from the previous week's success.

While respect may not grow on trees it seems frustration does and the Salmon Kings ended the week looking very frustrated. The respect they had gained in the first week of their homestand has turned sour and Victoria is licking its wounds from two straight one goal losses against the San Diego Gulls. The week started on a bad note on Monday in the final game of six in nine nights, against the Mississippi Sea Wolves which the Salmon Kings lost 4-2.

The Salmon Kings definitely need the Christmas break to rest some injured bodies. The past three games they have only had 14 skaters available to them and it has hurt their ability to continue playing the high tempo gritty game necessary to win in the ECHL.

Week in Review

Monday December 13, 2004 vs. Mississippi Sea Wolves

Possibly Victoria's worst outing so far on home ice the Salmon Kings were out of gas. The sixth game in nine nights with a depleted line-up, the Salmon Kings made poor decisions. The Sea Wolves finished the Salmon Kings off in the third game of the three game set 4-2, before heading north to Alaska. The third period, usually the best for Victoria was a struggle as they were unable to get anything to go their way. Blue Bennefield netted a goal and an assist, while Derek Campbell scored the other. Mike Barrie left the game early in the third period with 28 minutes in penalties.

Friday December 17, 2004 vs. San Diego Gulls

The Gulls were in town for the first meeting of the season between the West Division rivals. The pace of the game was slow and both teams looked to be in a feeling out process. San Diego won 2-1 on the stellar netminding of French goaltender Eddy Fehri. Fehri made 34 saves in the game that was controlled by the Salmon Kings. Brian Gornick added two goals to his stats while Ryan Wade responded for the Salmon Kings. All the goals were scored in the first two periods. In the third the outmanned Salmon Kings were stymied by the Gulls defence and did not have the gas in the tank to mount a comeback.

Saturday December 18, 2004 vs. San Diego Gulls

The second game in two nights against the Gulls was a far more offensive affair. Gulls defenseman Jeremy Shockey left the game early after being rocked by sparkplug Ryan Finnerty. The game ended 5-4 with the Salmon Kings frustrated by another one goal loss. San Diego came back with their number one goalie Trevor Koenig who looked to take some time to shake the cobwebs but he was able to outlast Victoria's Jason Stone. Both netminder's may have had some words with their defence which was porous in front of them all night. Victoria's goal scores were Seth Leonard, Jeff Williams, Corey Smith and Brad Dexter. Both Leonard and Smith finished the week with a goal and two assists to lead the team.

Salmon Kings Record

Overall: 22GP - 6-13-3 - 15PTS .341%
Home: 8GP - 3-3-2
Road: 14GP - 3-10-1
Last 10: 3-4-3
Streak: 0-3-1

Last Week's Results

Monday December 13, 2004 vs. Mississippi Sea Wolves L4-2

Friday December 17, 2004 vs. San Diego Gulls L2-1

Saturday December 18, 2004 vs. San Diego Gulls L5-4

Coming Up

Christmas Break – December 21-30, 2004

Friday December 31, 2004 vs. Long Beach @ Bear Mountain Arena 7:00 p.m.

Saturday January 1, 2004 vs. Long Beach @ Bear Mountain Arena 7:00 p.m.

Sunday January 2, 2004 vs. Long Beach @ Bear Mountain Arena 1:00 p.m.

Injuries

Mike Josephson - 7 day IR

Ryan Watson - 7 day IR

Transactions

None.

Tickets

Available by phone (250) 220-7777, or online at www.selectyourtickets.com.

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from December 21, 2004

• 'Blades win 3rd staight with 3-2 OT victory - Florida Everblades
• Gators Master Checkers 4-2 - Louisiana IceGators
• Pride fall to Inferno 3-2 - Myrtle Beach Thunderboltz
• ECHL Transactions - ECHL
• Lynx Announce Skills Competition Thursday - Augusta Lynx
• Pensacola's Krestanovich Suspended One Game - ECHL
• Ice Pilots' Hay Named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week - ECHL
• Dwayne Hay Named In Glas Co ECHL Player of the Week - Pensacola Ice Pilots
• American Idol - Gulls Style - San Diego Gulls
• Morrison receives league-wide honor - Greenville Grrrowl
• Greenville's Morrison Named Reebok Hockey ECHL Saver of the Week - ECHL
• Ring In 2005 With the Boardwalk Bullies - Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
• ECHL Today - ECHL
• Falcons Edge Wranglers in Shootout - Fresno Falcons
• Wranglers Fall in Shootout 5-4 to Fresno - Las Vegas Wranglers
• A Weak Run - Victoria Salmon Kings
• Gulls Fall To Victoria Salmon Kings, 3-2 - San Diego Gulls
• First Place Condors Roll Over Idaho 4-1 - Bakersfield Condors

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Victoria Salmon Kings Stories

• Royals' Pink In The Rink Almost Sold Out
• Former Salmon Kings' General Manager & Head Coach Named to Winnipeg Jets' AHL Staff
• Salmon Kings Withdraw from ECHL
• Salmon Kings' Season Ends with Game 4 Loss
• Alaska takes 3-0 series lead with 6-2 victory over Victoria