Salmon Kings Drop Aces

Published on February 3, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Wednesday night match-up at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Victoria Salmon Kings took on division rival the Alaska Aces. This game marked Alaska's first visit to Victoria this season. The Salmon Kings gave David Shantz his 200th professional game in goal, while the Aces countered with Memorial Cup champion Gerald Coleman.

Victoria started out strong after a good shift resulted in the game's opening goal. As the home side hemmed the Aces in their own zone, Kiel McLeod corralled the puck on the right half-boards and threw a pass to Milan Gajic in front of the net. The Burnaby, BC native tipped the puck past Coleman for this 11th of the season at 2:14. The lead was short lived as Alaska replied just over a minute later at 3:36. Shantz made the original save on a shot by Kory Falite, but Tyler Ruegsegger was on the doorstep and beat the outstretched Salmon Kings' goaltender for his ninth tally of the year. Minutes later the Aces found themselves with a 5-on-3 power play, but could not crack the Salmon Kings' penalty kill unit for the game's next goal. Victoria looked for the go ahead goal with physical play as McLeod, Matt Siddall and Derek Couture treated the Aces' skaters as bumper cars. The teams continued to exchange scoring opportunities but both goalies held their ground to keep the game knotted at one. With a two minutes remaining in the first Aces' forward Wes Goldie sprung Scott Howes in on a breakaway. The former Salmon King got a shot on net despite being held up by defenseman Derick Martin. Shantz was able to get his right leg on the Howes shot to send the teams into the second period tied 1-1.

The Salmon Kings controlled the play for the opening minutes of the middle frame with continued offensive pressure and physical presence that resulted in a 2-on-1 chance for Tim Kraus and Rick Cleaver. Kraus skated in down the right side and saucered the puck over to Cleaver who took a shot that missed the net by a few inches. After an Alaska penalty Victoria got their second goal of the game. Defenseman Jeff Caister found a loose puck after a scramble in front of the net and deposited it in the empty net for his fourth of the year at 2:40. After some nice passing and puck control Victoria almost got their third goal on a Ryan MacMurchy shot from the top of the right circle that went of the post and was smothered up by Coleman. The Salmon Kings kept the pressure up after they cycled the puck in the Aces zone. The puck came to the stick of Rob Hennigar in the left corner who fed the puck to the top of the left circle for Ryan Dingle. The Steamboat Springs, CO native one-timed the puck past Coleman glove side for his third of the year at 10:20. Aces player and Victoria native Garry Nunn broke in a breakaway with less than five minutes remaining in the frame. The speedy forward deked to his backhand, but put the puck just past the outside of the post. The Salmon Kings took their 3-1 lead into the final period.

The Salmon Kings started the third period strong as they didn't let up on their hard hits and offensive flow. Caister found a loose puck after a scramble in front of the goal and slid it in for his second power play goal of the night. Just under two minutes later, the Kings struck again. This time Cleaver received a pass in front of the net from MacMurchy at 2:25 and made a deke on Coleman and put the puck between his legs for his 16th marker of the year. The Aces notched a goal when Brian Swanson took a cross-crease pass from Goldie and tapped it in the open side at 11:44 The goal was Swanson's 16th of the year. Brandon Coccimiglio snuck in behind the Salmon Kings' defence and received a pass from Steve Ward at 17:52. The Burlington, ON native skated in from the right side and deked Shantz between the legs for his first professional marker. Milan Gajic recorded an empty net goal for his second of the night and 100th ECHL goal to insure the win for the Salmon Kings. Salmon Kings 6 Aces 3.

Victoria went 2/5 40.0% on the power play, while Alaska was 0/5 0.0%. The Aces outshot the Salmon Kings 32-25.

Victoria continues their three game set versus the Alaska Aces Friday February 4th and Saturday February 5th at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Game time for both games is at 7:05 pm. This Friday's contest is the Salmon Kings' fourth annual "Pink in the Rink" game in support of the BC Cancer Foundation. Fans are encouraged to wear pink clothing and will have a chance to bid on special pink Salmon King jerseys at a silent auction and post-game live auction. Special $17 single tickets and $60 family four-packs are available for purchase. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.

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