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Fight-filled affair sees Victoria drop an 8-1 decision in Stockton

February 20, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Stockton, CA - In a Saturday night match-up at the Stockton Arena the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Stockton Thunder in the second of a three-game set. The Salmon Kings came into tonight's game looking for their fifth straight road win. Victoria started Burlington, ON native David Shantz in net, while the Thunder countered with Princeton University grad Zane Kalemba.

The game started with full emotion as three fights broke out in the opening four minutes. Salmon Kings' forward Derek Couture dropped the gloves with Thunder player Garet Hunt 10 seconds in. The spirited bought saw both players exchange blows, but Couture got the upper hand to gain the victory. Just seconds later Victoria forward Matt Siddall squared off with Stockton player Jordan Foreman. Siddall landed a few punches, but Foreman scored the take down to gain the draw. At 3:13 the game saw its third fight as Salmon Kings' defenseman Gord Burnett fought Thunder forward Chris Lawrence. Burnett landed all the blows in the bought as Lawrence held on in defence. Pierre-Andre Bureau would tally the first goal after he tipped a pass past Shantz from the left side of the crease for his sixth goal at 4:57. Lawrence would notch the Thunder's second goal on what looked like a high stick from inside the crease for his 12th at 11:56. Hunt got into his second fight on the night less than two minutes from the intermission as he went at it with Stefanishion. Stefanishion pinned Hunt to the boards then scored the take-down to gain the decision. Steve Vanoosten added a late power play marker five seconds from the break. The first period saw four fights as the Thunder took their 3-0 lead into the second frame.

The second period opened with an early power play opportunity for the Thunder. The Salmon Kings' penalty killers were able to shut down the Thunder breakout and kill the penalty successfully. Victoria controlled the play for the next few minutes after they gained the momentum from the penalty kill. The rest of the period saw Stockton tack on three more goals. The first was scored by Jordan Fulton on the power play, while the second was by Chase Ryan. After Ryan's goal, Shantz took exception to some verbal hits by Hunt, and looked to engage the Thunder forward as he stepped up for his teammates. The officiating crew would intervene between the two as a minor scrum ensued. Lawrence rounded out the scoring for the period with 10 seconds remaining to send Stockton into the third period with a 6-0 advantage.

Chris Beckford-Tseu replaced Shantz in the Victoria goal for the third period. The Salmon Kings broke the shutout on the man advantage as Couture got his stick on the puck in front of the net at 5:06 for his seventh. Couture would then drop the gloves again, but this time with Craig Valette. The Salmon Kings' forward would score the win. Victoria defenseman Michael Wilson would then keep the physical edge in the game as he engaged Fulton and relentlessly pounded on the Thunder player before the linesman intervened. The final three minutes saw Stockton tally two more goals from Fraser Claire and Lawrence as well as two more fights. Tempers continued to flare after the final whistle as a fight and several scrums broke out in front of the benches. Thunder 8 Salmon Kings 1.

Victoria went 1/5 = 20.0% on the power play, while Stockton was 2/5 = 40.0%. The Salmon Kings outshot the Thunder 25-24.

The Salmon Kings finish their six-game road trip Sunday afternoon against the Stockton Thunder at 4:00 pm. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. Victoria returns home to face the Utah Grizzlies for a two-game set on Friday, February 25th at 7:05 p.m. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.

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