Last-minute marker paves way for Victoria's 4-3 comeback win in Idaho

December 18, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Boise, ID - In a Friday night match-up, the Victoria Salmon Kings looked to end a two-game losing streak as they took on division rival Idaho Steelheads in the finale of a two-game set at the Qwest Arena. The Salmon Kings went with David Shantz in net, while Mike Zacharias tended the goal for the Steelheads.

The Salmon Kings entered tonight's game shorthanded once again with a lineup of eight forwards and seven defensemen. Both Peter Vandermeer and Gord Burnett were forced out of their positions as a result to take shifts up front during the game. Victoria came out with a strong effort in the first, as their best chance in that span came off the stick of Vandermeer when he looked off Chad Painchaud on a 2-on-1 rush and fired a shot from the right faceoff circle that was turned aside by Zacharias. The Salmon Kings' captain would open the scoring minutes later when he collected a big rebound in front of the crease from a Matt Stefanishion shot at the blue line. Vandermeer beat Zacharias with a quick shot blocker side for his second goal of the season. Milan Gajic and Rick Cleaver had great opportunities to extend Victoria's lead late in the period, but both were denied by the Idaho netminder. Gajic took a pass from behind the net and fired a heavy one-time shot from between the faceoff circles that was snapped up by Zacharias' glove. Cleaver took his chance as he moved across the blue line into the left circle and let a quick wrist-shot go that was squeezed between the left arm and pad of the Steelheads' goaltender. Victoria took their 1-0 advantage into the middle frame.

Idaho was awarded an early man-advantage in the second period and would convert on their opportunity to knot the game at 1-1. Kael Mouillierat put a shot on net from the left faceoff circle that Shantz knocked down in front of him. A scrum of players ensued at the left side of the crease, where Junior Lessard found the puck and put it up and over the right shoulder of Shantz. Lessard's marker was his first of the year. Idaho continued their momentum when they received a power play near the middle portion of the frame. Shantz stood tall against the league's top power play unit and made four quality saves to keep the game tied at 1-1. The end of the period had back-and-forth action between the teams, highlighted by a Ryan Turek point shot that was tipped past the glove of Zacharias into the net by Burnett who was poised at the side of the slot. Burnett's first goal in a Salmon Kings' jersey sent the club into the locker room at the second intermission with a 2-1 edge.

Victoria used 1:23 of a crossover power play from the second period to control a fast-paced final frame, but were unable to bank an insurance marker. The home side would take back momentum of the game at the 7:23 mark off Mark Derlago's team-leading 14th marker of the season. Tyler Ludwig put a low shot on net from the left point that Shantz kicked to his right. Derlago collected the puck along the goal line and put the rubber on net from a near impossible angle that squeaked its way over Shantz' shoulder into the cage. The physical play picked up following the game-tying goal, which included a near-fight between Vandermeer and Adam Huxley. The home side took their first lead of the game on the power play when Mouillierat collected a loose puck at the left side of the net and tucked it under the outstretched left pad of Shantz for his 12th goal of the year. The Salmon Kings pulled Shantz in the final minute of regulation to finish the contest with a 6-on-5 advantage. With just 36 seconds left in regulation, Victoria defenseman Mike Wilson put the puck on net from the Idaho left wing corner that was redirected past Zacharias by Matt Siddall as he was checked to the ice. Siddall's team-leading 13th goal of the season sent the Salmon Kings into their fourth overtime contest of the year.

Both teams played an exciting extra frame, which included a Steelheads' power play. Shantz stole the show on the penalty kill and in the overtime as he made eight saves, highlighted by an incredible goal line stop off the stick of Mouillierat, who put it into the back of the Victoria netminder as he fell to the ice. The game would remain tied and required a shootout. The first five shooters for each side were denied by the goaltenders. Turek skated in as Victoria's sixth shooter and put a shot past Zacharias' blocker into the top corner of the net. Idaho captain Marty Flichel took his attempt to keep the game alive, but was denied on a right pad save by Shantz. Salmon Kings 4 Steelheads 3.

Victoria went 0/3 = 0.0% on the power play, while Idaho was 2/6 = 33.3%. The Steelheads outshot the Salmon Kings 32-30.

The Salmon Kings now travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Grizzlies tomorrow evening at the Maverik Center. Puck drop is at 6:05 p.m. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. Following the Christmas break, the Salmon Kings return home on Tuesday, December 28th to open up a two-game set versus the Ontario Reign. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from December 18, 2010


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