Roadrunners Survive Salmon Kings 6-5 in Shootout
by Andrew Nordmeier
January 28, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners
The Phoenix Roadrunners are learning how to win ugly. Despite blowing a 3-0 lead after the first period, the Phoenix Roadrunners overcame the Victoria Salmon Kings' 4-of-9 night on the power play and scored twice in the shootout to steal a 6-5 win Friday night at the Save On Foods Memorial Center.
"We gave then a chance to come back," Filion said, "We should never have been there."
The Roadrunners picked up shootout goals in the second round by Joe Dusbabek and in the fourth round by Miguel Lafleche to get the win while Phoenix netminder Michael Mole turned aside four of five Victoria shooters to salvage the win.
"We found the courage to win tonight," Filion said, "We started well and finished well"
Phoenix (13-24-3) came out flying with goals by Justin Quenneville and a pair of power play goals to take a 3-0 lead into the first intermission. Shawn Fisher and J. F. Soucy scored power play goals 80 seconds apart to cash in on both halves of a two-man advantage and get Phoenix on its way. Quenneville's goal came at 5:48 against starting goaltender Rob McVicar. Fisher's tally at 16:32 spelled the end of McVicar's game and B.J. Boxma came on in relief. Soucy welcomed him in a most appropriate way with his tally at 17:52.
Or so they thought, as the Salmon Kings (15-25-2) came back with a pair of power play goals to get back in the game. Adam Taylor's 11th goal of the season got Victoria on the board at 3:29 and Ryan Wade beat Phoenix netminder Michael Mole at 7:01 to get the Salmon Kings within a goal with his 13th of the season. Dusbabek re-established the two goal lead for Phoenix with a power-play goal at 11:32 and Phoenix led 4-2.
Victoria scored the next three goals to take its first lead of the night. Nate Forster's fourth of the year at 14:34 cut the gap to 4-3. Steve Roberts scored the next two goals at 2:07 and 5:49 of the third period to give the Salmon Kings the 5-4 edge.
Mike Ouelette scored at 12:18 off of backhander to even the score at 5-5. Each team had a couple of good chances in overtime but the goaltenders were up to the task.
Paul Ballantyne picked up three assists in first game back since November 11 after suffering a broken ankle in that game.
"When I first brought him on board was supposed to be a big gun and tonight and he proved it," Filion said.
These two teams meet again tomorrow night to wrap up this two-game series. Phoenix gained ground on the Utah Grizzlies and sit just 16 points out of the final playoff spot.
"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves," Filion said, "Our guys are playing good."
Three Stars
3. Ballantyne-PHX Three assists
2. Taylor-VIC Goal and three assists
1. Lafleche-PHX Game-winning goal in shootout
Notes: Victoria outshot Phoenix 39-31...The last time Phoenix scored three power play goals in a game was November 10th against Las Vegas in a 5-3 loss....Victoria has the worst penalty kill on home ice this year...The Salmon Kings were held scoreless for 152:34 until their first goal tonight...Phoenix is 8-0-1 when leading after two periods...Victoria leads the ECHL with four wins in overtime....Phoenix is the only team without an overtime decision this year...Attendance was 4,466.
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- Roadrunners Survive Salmon Kings 6-5 in Shootout - OSC Original by Andrew Nordmeier
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