Salmon Kings come up short in OT

Published on January 6, 2008 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


The Victoria Salmon Kings and the Utah Grizzlies met this afternoon for the final game of a three game set in Victoria. The Salmon Kings took game one on Thursday night cruising to a 5-1 victory but the tables were turned on Saturday night as the Grizzlies were able to scratch out a 2-1 overtime win. Salmon Kings' goaltender Billy Thompson started his first game of the series today while Nathan Lawson started his third straight game for Utah.

The Kings were first to find the back of the net as Derek Krestanovich notched his fourth of the season at the 8:41 mark of the first period. Darryl Lloyd received a pass from Matt Kelly behind the net and fired it across the crease to an awaiting Krestanovich who had the easy tap in to put Victoria up 1-0. Billy Thompson shut the door on a late Utah power play opportunity to keep the Kings up by one goal after 20 minutes of play.

The Grizzlies would finally get one behind Thompson midway through the second period. Justin Bourne picked up the puck on the boards, circled the Kings' net, and fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Thompson for his 11th goal of the season. Keith Johnson picked up the lone assist on the play.

The Salmon Kings took the lead late in the period as Patrick Coulombe tallied his second goal of the season on the power play. Ash Goldie fired the puck on net and the rebound shot out to Coulombe who made no mistake to give the Kings a 2-1 lead after two periods of play.

The Grizzlies didn't waste any time in the third period as Sean Offers put a power play marker past Thompson just three minutes into the final frame. The goal knotted the score 2-2 and was Offers first of the season, James Sanford and Olivier Labelle assisted on the play.

Thompson and Lawson continued to make key saves throughout the final period to keep their teams in the game. A late period penalty for the Kings saw some tense moments around the crease of Thompson, but for the second time in as many nights the game needed to be solved in overtime.

In the extra frame, the Grizzlies remained on the power play and would need just 32 seconds of overtime before James Sanford notched his second goal of the season giving the Grizzlies a 3-2 overtime victory.

The Salmon Kings fired 33 shots at Lawson and went 1/5 (20%) on the power play while the Grizzlies went 2/4 (50%) with the extra man and finished the game with 33 shots on net.

The Salmon Kings now head out on the road for a two game series versus the National Conference leading Las Vegas Wranglers on Friday and Saturday nights. Both games are at 7:05 p.m. Victoria then returns home on Tuesday, January 15th vs. Bakersfield when they begin a five game home stand. Call 220-7889 for tickets.

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