Sports stats



Dull(e) the Blades in Fort Myers

March 25, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Fort Myers, FL – The Victoria Salmon Kings have come full circle over the past two weeks finding themselves in the city where they began their epic road trip across the Gulf States. The Florida Everblades did not treat the Salmon Kings well in the opener beating them 7-1.

The first of two on Easter weekend appeared to be an echo of two weekends prior, with the Everblades opening the scoring just 1:48 into the first stanza. Paul Cabana and Kris Vernarsky set up Chris Lee's fifth of the season and it appeared Florida would continue to fly in the second game of a prolonged three game set.

It didn't take long though for the undermanned Salmon Kings, who are missing forwards Scott Turner (shoulder), Alexei Glukhov (shoulder), Derek Campbell (wrist), Brandon Elliott (flu) and defenseman Craig Strain (ankle), to capitalize on an Everblades mistake.

Ryan Wade flipped a pass ahead to Ryan Finnerty busting in over the blueline behind the Everblades defense. Finnerty faked out Florida keeper Rob Zepp, blocker side, and buried the back hand top shelf to even the score at one.

Then at 16:12 of the first period with the Salmon Kings killing a penalty, Wade and Mark Smith were working the Everblades deep in the offensive zone, when Florida broke out the other way. Everblades forward Reggie Berg carried the puck from end to end and beat Salmon Kings goaltender Rob Muntain to send Florida to the first break with the one goal lead.

Berg then opened the second period, at 4:04, with his 18th of the season and the Everblades looked to the have the game firmly in hand, at 3-1. But take nothing for granted in the game of hockey, especially the 12 very desperate skaters on Victoria's bench.

A minute and a half later Salmon Kings forward Mike Josephson dug the puck off the end boards stepped out in front of Zepp and buried the snap shot high over his shoulder on a brilliant solo effort, to put the Salmon Kings back on the proverbial doorstep.

Victoria opened the final frame at a 3-2 disadvantage but was not going to allow a solid second period, where they out-shot the Everblades 22-12, go to waste. At 1:50, defenseman Nate Forster and forward Jason Hegberg set up Chris Corrinet's 7th of the campaign to knot the game at three's.

The big effort continued for the Salmon Kings who missed morning skate Friday because their gear showed up on three different planes, with the last of it arriving in Fort Myers just before game time.

At 13:10, Everblades and Nashville Predator Defenseman Shane Hnidy took exception to Corrinet taking the puck hard to the net, he was called for roughing putting the Everblades a man down.

On the powerplay, Smith took the puck on the side boards, dished it to Captain Brad Dexter at the point who wired a slap-shot which Zepp couldn't handle. Rookie Defenseman Kurtis Dulle, who has played outstanding since signing with Victoria last week, buried the rebound.

Victoria scored three unanswered goals to take the lead 4-3. The Salmon Kings out-shot the Everblades 10-4 in the third for a game total of 41-33. Muntain played solid in the pipes for the Salmon Kings in his second straight start.

Victoria is now 3-4 in the South Division and finish the trip on Saturday night at Germain Arena in Fort Myers, against these same Florida Everblades.

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

ECHL Stories from March 25, 2005


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



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central