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Ellis elite in Salmon Kings 4-2 loss

December 12, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, tried to hit the road running in the single game versus Phoenix to kick off their six-game trip. Veteran Defenseman Steve Lingren was assigned as alternate captain, due to the absence of Kiel McLeod, and notched two points, and Julien Ellis handled 54 shots in the Salmon Kings 4-2 loss to the Roadrunners.

Ellis made 16 saves in the opening stanza until the home team made it count on their third powerplay of the game. Phoenix Forward Brett Smith posted his ninth goal of the season batting at a rebound at the left of the crease and going top corner with 21 seconds remaining in the first period.

The Salmon Kings tied the score 1-1 at 5:46 into the second period. In a Victoria powerplay, Mike Stutzel carried the puck to the Phoenix net, passed by the right of the crease and threw a turnaround pass to the trailing Darryl Lloyd. Lloyd lifted the biscuit to the top shelf past Goaltender Cody Rudkowsky for his sixth goal of the season. The Roadrunners regained the lead with 1:55 remaining in the second as Jeff Kyrzakos smacked away at a rebound resulting from a slapshot from the left point. Ellis made another 14 saves in the middle frame.

Lingren evened the score 2-2 at 5:42 into the third period. In a 4-on-4, Defenseman James DeMone started the play carrying the puck out of the Salmon Kings zone and passing up to Ryan Wade. Wade shuffled the puck to Jordan Krestanovich, whose low slapshot was tipped over the shoulder of Rudkowsky by Lingren, planted in front of the crease.

The Roadrunners answered at 9:37 into the final frame with Justin Aikins' 11th goal of the season. Aikins pounced on his own rebound to give Phoenix the 3-2 lead. With 2:57 remaining in the game, Scott May added an insurance marker with a laser from the right circle on the Roadrunners' 53rd shot of the game.

Final score: 4-2 Roadrunners

Rudkowsky wrangled his third win of the season, and Ellis, in his third consecutive start, suffered his sixth loss. Victoria went 1 for 4 on the powerplay and Phoenix scored once in six opportunities with the man advantage. The Roadrunners outshot the Salmon Kings 54-25. Victoria (9-12-0-1) will return to Phoenix on Dec 21, but will first battle Long Beach this Friday, while Phoenix heads to Beaumont, Texas for a three-game series versus the American Conference leaders, the Wildcatters.

NOTES:

- Julien Ellis tallies his third game this season with 50+ saves.

- Jordan Krestanovich extends his point streak to five games (3g, 4a)

- Steve Lingren posts his first points since returning from IR with one goal and one assist.

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