David Shantz makes 34 saves in Victoria's 3-1 loss to Alaska

February 5, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Saturday night match-up at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Victoria Salmon Kings took on division rival the Alaska Aces in the third game of a three game set. Victoria looked to win their third straight victory over Alaska and fourth consecutive win on home ice. The Salmon Kings started David Shantz between the pipes, while the Aces went with Adam Courchaine.

Both teams looked to set the tone early as they applied pressure in the opposing zones. Alaska set an early pace as they held the majority of the play in the Victoria zone, as Aces forward and former Edmonton Oiler Brian Swanson found a loose in the slot and snapped a quick shot on net. Shantz stepped out of his crease to make the left shoulder save. Victoria almost opened the scoring 10 minutes into the period after some nice tic-tac-toe passes. Ryan Dingle made a quick pass to Michael Wilson in the high slot, who fired the puck over to Rick Cleaver. The Parksville, BC native one timed the puck from the left face-off dot, but cracked it off the post to keep the game scoreless. On an Alaska power play they looked to have the first marker of the game. After a goalmouth scramble the puck sat in the crease, but an alert Derick Martin swept the puck out of the zone from his belly before an Alaska player could bury it in the empty cage. As time wound down in the opening period Steve Ward took a Scott Howes pass at the right point and one-timed the puck past a screened Shantz glove. Ward's fifth goal of the year came with just five seconds remaining in the first. Alaska took their 1-0 lead into the second period after outshooting Victoria 13-10.

The second period opened with the teams going end-to-end as they exchanged scoring opportunities. Salmon Kings forward Ryan MacMurchy burst into the Aces zone just over five minutes into the frame. The former Springfield Falcon made a between the legs deke on an Aces defender and continued his drive to the net. The former Ace took a quick backhand, but Courchaine stood tall to make the shoulder save. MacMurchy would exact his revenge minutes later at 9:27 shorthanded. Defenseman Michael Wilson saucered a stretch pass to speedy forward, who went in on the breakaway and fired between the legs for his 12th goal of the season. Alaska would regain their lead only 35 seconds later on a 5-on-3 power play marker. Swanson collected a rebound to the right of the net and fired the puck in before Shantz could recover and make the save. The goal was Swanson's 17th of the campaign. The rest of the period saw few whistle stoppages as both teams stepped up their physical play in search of the games next goal. The score was 2-1 after the Aces and Salmon Kings exchanged second period goals.

The third period started with Alaska on the power play. The Aces got a couple shots on net, but nothing that tested the Victoria goaltender as the Salmon Kings' penalty killing unit stood tall. As the home side looked for the equalizer, Wes Goldie snuck behind a Salmon Kings defender and took the puck to the net from the right hand boards. The former Salmon King took a quick snap shot, but Shantz held his ground to keep it a one goal game. The period got a little heated after Salmon King Ryan Turek held off Scott Howes on his way to the net. Howes took exception and went after Turek, which resulted in huge scrum to the right of the Victoria net. Howes received another opportunity minutes later after breaking in all alone. The former Salmon King made a deke to his backhand, but Shantz followed the puck to make the right bad save. While the Salmon Kings worked to apply offensive pressure in the Aces zone, Wes Goldie added a late marker to insure the win for the Aces. Aces 3 Salmon Kings 1

Victoria went 0/2 = 0.0% on the power play, while Alaska was 1/3 = 33.3%. The Aces outshot the Salmon Kings 37-19.

The Salmon Kings will now embark on a six game road trip with the first two coming against the Las Vegas Wranglers. Game one is Friday February 11th at 7:05 pm, while game two is Sunday February 14th at 2:05 pm. Both games will be played at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, NV. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. Victoria returns home to welcome the Utah Grizzlies to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for a two-game set on Friday, February 25th and Saturday, February 26th. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from February 5, 2011


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