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Salmon Kings Cruise by Grizzlies

March 17, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC- In a Wednesday night matchup at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Utah Grizzlies in the first of a three game series. The Salmon Kings gave David Shantz his 50th start of the season between the pipes, while the Grizzlies countered with Tyler Sims.

After a penalty to Salmon Kings' forward Matt Stefanishion, the Grizzlies went on the power play as they looked for the games opening goal. On the man advantage Brett Parnham collected a loose rebound to the right of the goal and potted it in the top corner for the 1-0 lead. The marker notched at 8:30 was the Utah forward's 17th of the year. Minutes later the Salmon Kings received their first power of the game at 11:40. Off the ensuing faceoff from the right point Rob Hennigar threw the puck on net. Victoria forward Milan Gajic deflected the puck on its way to the net that beat Sims at 11:45. The goal was Gajic's 16th of the year. At 14:09 Hennigar circled around the net and fed Jeff Caister who had streaked towards the net from the point. The Salmon Kings' defenseman quickly snapped the puck over the blocker of Sims for his seventh. A mere 70 seconds later, at 15:19, Victoria increased their lead when Ryan Dingle put a shot on net from the net slot that eluded a screened Sims for his seventh of the year. Shane Connelly replaced Sims in the Utah net after the third Victoria goal. Matt Siddall and Chris Donovan dropped the gloves after the whistle at 16:44. Siddall scored the decision after he landed several upper cuts on the Grizzlies forward. The Salmon Kings recorded their fourth goal of the period after Josh Aspenlind tipped home Geoff Waugh's point shot for his first of the year at 18:27. Just 17 seconds later Chad Painchaud fired a pass to Scott Freeman from the right corner. The Salmon Kings' rookie snapped a quick shot from the left hash mark that beat Connelly cleanly over the left shoulder. The goal was Freeman's first professional goal. Victoria tied a record with five goal in the period as they took their 5-1 lead into the second period.

Both teams exchanged scoring chances for the first half of the second period. The best chance for the Salmon Kings came when Painchaud went in on a breakaway. The speedy forward took a quick snap shot from the hash marks, but Connelly made the blocker save. At 9:36 on the power play the Grizzlies got their second goal of the game. Hugo Carpentier took several whacks at a loose puck in the crease before it slid under Shantz and into the net. For Carpentier it was his 13th marker of the year. Victoria recorded their third power play goal of the night at 17:28 on Gajic's second of the year. From the point Hennigar shot the puck towards the net where Gajic stopped it and deked around an out of position Connelly for the 6-2 lead. With only 12 seconds left in the period Painchaud pounced on his own rebound to the right of the net and shot it past the blocker of the Grizzlies' goaltender. The marker was Painchaud's 20th goal of the campaign. Victoria took a 7-2 lead into the final frame.

Sims returned to the Grizzlies net for the start of the third period. Just over half way through the period Utah forward Paul Mcllveen intercepted a pass and went in on the breakaway. Mcllveen took a wrist shot, but Shantz made the save with his blocker and deflected it into the corner. Shantz continued to stone the Grizzlies' shooters after he made two back-to-back in tight saves with his right leg on Kevin Deeth. Gajic completed his hat-trick at 15:54 after he wired a slap shot from the top of the right corner past the blocker of Sims. Minutes from the final whistle Salmon Kings' forward Matt Butcher dropped the gloves with Marcus Carroll. Both players wrestled around as they tried to land punches. The linesmen interfered as the bought was called a draw. Siddall would add his 20th marker of the season for Victoria as they cruised to the win. Salmon Kings 9 Grizzlies 2

The Salmon kings regained their nine point lead over Ontario for the final playoff position. Both teams have nine games remaining. For the night David Shantz recorded his 100th professional victory, Milan Gajic moved into a second place tie with Ryan Wade for all time goals scored as a Salmon King (57) and became the third player to register 150 points as a Salmon King.

Victoria went 3/3 100.0% on the power play, while Utah was 2/4 50.0%. The Salmon Kings outshot the Grizzlies 44-38.

Victoria continues their three game set with the Utah Grizzlies on Friday March 18th and Saturday March 18th. Game-time is at 7:05 for both contests. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from March 17, 2011


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