Salmon Kings defeated in game six; playoff series complete

Published on April 17, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, returned to the Sullivan Arena for game six of the Conference quarter finals versus the Aces. Keeping in stride with the second seed squad after the opening frame, the Salmon Kings were fished from the series in a 5-2 second half Alaska victory.

Alaska put the pressure on and nabbed the 1-0 lead at 1:35 into period one. Olivier Filion chipped a rebound and it popped onto the stick of Matt Shasby for the backhander past Goaltender Bryan Bridges. Ryan Wade tallied his second goal of the series and tied the game at 4:12 into the first frame. After a successful penalty kill, Milan Gajic spotted Wade up ice and led him for a breakaway and he beat Netminder Derek Gustafson top shelf with a backhander.

Three minutes later, Kevin Croxton gave the Aces the 2-1 advantage and Filion again kickstarted the play. Mike Scott roped in the pass and cut to the net from the left circle, and the rebound from his shot was tapped in by Croxton. Salmon Kings Goaltender Julien Ellis replaced Bryan Bridges in between the pipes as the Aces led in shots 6-1.

With just five seconds remaining in the period, Wes Goldie capitalized on the Victoria powerplay to knot the game 2-2. The faceoff at the right circle in Aces territory was moved to Steve Lingren at the high slot, and the rebound from his shot was lifted in by Goldie in front of the crease for his sixth goal of the series.

Despite the Salmon Kings outshooting the defending Kelly Cup champions 26-14 over the next two periods, the Aces added to their led to secure the series win.

At 1:13 into the second stanza, a turnover in Victoria territory led to a dish from Peter Metcalf to Filion in the left slot and he notched his third goal of the series. On an Alaska powerplay just over three minutes later, Scott was set up in the high slot for a slapshot and Barrett Heisten carried the rebound top shelf for the 4-2 lead.

The Aces tossed the final wild card in the third period as Heisten threw the puck to the net from the right boards, and Julian Talbot battled for the rebound to find the mesh and his fourth goal of the series.

Final: 5-2 Aces

Gustafson earned his fourth win of the series, and although Bridges started the game, Ellis was credited with the loss-his third of the series. Victoria was 1 for 5 on the powerplay and Alaska was 1 for 4 with the man advantage. The Salmon Kings outshot the Aces 32-24.

Alaska will move on to the Conference semi-finals and the Salmon Kings complete their inaugural playoff visit and will return home Tuesday afternoon.

NOTES:

- The Salmon Kings averaged 3.2 goals against Alaska in the series.

- Wes Goldie finished the playoffs on a three-game point streak (4g, 2a).

- Milan Gajic finished the playoffs on a three-game point streak (1g, 2a).

- F.P. Guenette finished the playoffs on a three-game point streak (3a).

- Wes Goldie sits at first in goals (6) and third in points (8) in the ECHL playoffs.

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