Condors nest knocked down by Salmon Kings

Published on January 27, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Bakersfield, CA - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, played the Pacific division-leading Condors for the final time in the regular season, and remain undefeated on the road trip as Wes Goldie quieted the crowd of 4,806 at Rabobank Arena with the 6-5 overtime winner.

The first period witnessed a total of five goals, and Victoria's Marc-Andre Bernier tallied three points.

At 3:07 into the first period, Josh Liebenow lit the lamp from the slot for his 16th goal of the season, finishing a feed from Andrew Oke in the right corner. Rookie Goaltender Alexandre Vincent lost the shot in a screen and the Condors were up 1-0. The Salmon Kings responded 53 seconds later as Defenseman Seamus Young carried the puck along the right boards into the Bakersfield zone and spotted Bernier with a cross crease pass, and the Manitoba Moose contracted player banged the puck past rookie Netminder Danny Taylor to tie the game 1-1.

Just over one minute later, Bakersfield regained the lead as from the inside edge of the left circle, Liebenow's backhand shot snuck under the crossbar for his second goal of the game.

With under three minutes remaining in the opening stanza, the Salmon Kings netted two goals to get back on top 3-2. Robin Gomez shot a rebound across the crease and it was poked in by a lunging Bernier for his second of the game, and F.P. Guenette capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush with a right handed wristshot from the left circle.

Victoria wrangled a two-goal lead and Bernier potted the hat trick at 9:14 into the second period. Bernier was led to the net by Milan Gajic and beat Taylor gloveside.

Bakerfield scored two powerplay goals to tie the game 4-4. A slapshot from the blueline by Defenseman Steve Rodberg earned him his fifth goal of the season, and the Condors kept the pressure in the following man advantage series as Sean Venedam fired in his 18th goal of the season with 1:06 remaining in the second.

Victoria answered on their fifth powerplay of the game as rookie Defenseman Matt Kelly cut off a clearing attempt by the Condors and was all alone for the wristshot from the right circle and gave the Salmon Kings the 5-4 edge. It seemed wrapped up in regulation until with a man short, Bakersfield pulled the goaltender and tallied a shorthanded goal to tie 5-5, with 27 seconds remaining in regulation. Vincent got a piece of the Alex Kim snapshot but it trickled into the net to send the Salmon Kings to their seventh overtime of the season.

In overtime, F.P. Guenette guided Goldie to the net in a 2-on-1 Salmon Kings rush, and Goldie tallied his 26th goal, and fifth game-winning goal, of the season to give Victoria their third straight win.

Final: 6-5 Salmon Kings, in OT

Vincent snags a win in his professional debut, and Taylor was handed his first overtime loss. Victoria went 1 for 6 on the powerplay and Bakersfield went 2 for 5 with the man advantage. The Condors outshot the Salmon Kings 55-32.

The Salmon Kings (17-26-0-1) will travel back to Long Beach (12-23-0-3) to wrap up the road trip with a 5:00 p.m. matchup tomorrow, before returning home to host the Idaho Steelheads next Friday.

Notes:

- Wes Goldie leads National Conference with five game winning goals.

- Marc-Andre Bernier earns third Salmon Kings hat trick (Stutzel, Goldie) and four-point game.

- Wes Goldie on a three-game goal streak (four goals).

- Milan Gajic and Bernier set team record for plus/minus in one game (+4).

The Victoria Salmon Kings welcome the Scout and Girl Guide members, family, and friends to their next home game on February 2nd. Members receive a badge with the purchase of a game ticket. Contact 220-2614 for more information.

The Salmon Kings and B2 Networks are broadcasting home games via the internet. Visit www.salmonkings.com for the link to pay-per-view video or free audio feeds ten minutes prior to game time.

The Mini-Martys are here! Purchase a stuffed toy Marmot from Kings Things located at Gate 3, and $1 will be donated to the Marmot Recovery Foundation.

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ECHL Stories from January 27, 2007


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