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Alaska takes 3-0 series lead with 6-2 victory over Victoria

April 30, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC- In a Saturday night matchup at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Alaska Aces in Game 3 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Final. The Aces came in with the 2-0 series lead. Victoria gave David Shantz the start in net, while Alaska went with Adam Courchaine.

Just under two minutes into the game, Salmon Kings' forward Chad Painchaud got the first chance of the contest as he broke down the left side and released a wrist shot that Courchaine made a glove save on. Just after a Victoria power play expired Matt Siddall took an outlet pass and streaked through the Aces' defence. The Salmon Kings' player snapped a quick shot from the high slot that rang off the crossbar and out of play. On the same shift the physical play picked up after Victoria's Kiel McLeod flattened Brandon Gentile in the Alaska zone. At 14:25 on the power play, Salmon Kings' defender Ryan Turek made a cross-ice pass to Siddall on the right boards. The Victoria forward burst down the ice and unleashed a slap shot from the right faceoff circle that went under the right pad of Courchaine to open the scoring. The marker was Siddall's third of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. Late in the frame, Shantz made multiple back-to-back saves to deny the Alaska shooters and send Victoria into the first intermission with their 1-0 lead.

The Salmon Kings started the second period strong as they created multiple goalmouth scrambles that Courchaine managed to keep out. At the 2:52 mark, on the Aces fourth power play of the night they tied the game on Scott Howes' fifth of the playoffs. Defenseman Daryl Boyle took a shot from the right point that was blocked on the way, but Howes was in the slot to collect the puck and fire it on net and through the legs of Shantz. Victoria continued their physical play as McLeod laid a big hit on an Aces player in the neutral zone to create a chance on goal. Just under the 10 minute mark of the period Siddall drove to the net from the left side, but was denied on the nice deke by the pads of Courchaine. Alaska grabbed the lead, and then extended it, after Chris Langkow scored back-to-back goals halfway through the frame. Alaska notched their fourth goal with just over a minute remaining after Brain Swanson beat Shantz' glove from the right circle for his third of the playoffs. Alaska took a 4-1 lead into the third period.

Alaska received an early power play in the third period, but strong play by the Victoria penalty killers negated the man advantage. Minutes later Alaska got their fifth goal shorthanded on Ethan Cox's first of the playoffs at 6:29. As Victoria looked to close the gap, Alaska tightened up defensively to keep their chances to the outside. Late in the period Siddall dropped the gloves with Aces' defenseman Chad Anderson. Both players were able to land punches before they fell to the ice. The teams would trade goals late in the period as Cox got his second of the night and Jeff Caister counted the final marker of the game with five seconds remaining. Aces 6 Salmon Kings 2. Alaska leads the best-of-seven Western Conference Final 3-0.

Victoria went 1/6 = 16.6% on the power play, while Alaska was 2/8 = 25.0%. The Salmon Kings outshot the Aces 37-32.

Game 4 goes on Monday May 2nd at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre with puck drop at 7:05 p.m. Game 5, if necessary, will take place on Wednesday, May 4th. Tickets are available for as low as $5, and are available in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, online at www.selectyourtickets.com or over the phone at 250-220-7777.

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