Salmon Kings Drop Grizzlies In Shootout, Winning Streak Stretches To 10 Games

December 31, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


West Valley City, UT - In a Thursday night matchup the Victoria Salmon Kings and Utah Grizzlies met in the finale of a two-game in two-night series at the E Center. Victoria's David Shantz started between the pipes, while Utah countered with Beau Erickson.

The majority of the opening period was highlighted by strong back-and-forth play and physicality. Salmon Kings' defenseman Mike Salekin and Grizzlies' forward Lance Galbraith provided the majority of entertainment with two first period fights. Olivier Latendresse broke the deadlock and scored the lone goal of the frame with just 18 seconds remaining. Olivier Filion carried the puck into the Grizzlies zone and fired a shot on goal that was saved by Erickson. Latendresse crashed the net and found the loose rubber that had fallen in front of the Utah goaltender and fired home his 12th goal of the season. Victoria took their 1-0 lead into the second period.

Both teams continued the exchange of offensive opportunities in the middle frame, and the Grizzlies would benefit at the 17:17 mark. On a three-on-one rush, Grizzlies' captain Ryan Kinasewich fed a saucer pass over the outstretched stick of a Salmon Kings defender to a streaking A.J. Perry who fired the puck past Shantz into the back of the net. Perry's game-tying goal was his 13th of the year and knotted the score at 1-1 heading into the second intermission.

The Grizzlies took a 2-1 advantage just 4:44 into the third period. Utah defenseman Matt Clarke moved the puck down the left side of the offensive zone and left the rubber for Tony Romano who fired his second goal of the season between Shantz' right arm and the post. Victoria responded at the 9:54 mark when Chad Painchaud finished off a goalmouth scramble in front of Erickson that resulted in the puck finding the Salmon Kings forward alone on the right side of the net. Painchaud's 2-2 goal was his 12th tally of the year, and sent the game into overtime.

Neither team could bank the game-winning goal in the extra frame, and the New Year's Eve contest headed to a shootout - the first of the year for both teams. After the first five rounds of the shootout both squads had scored twice (Wes Goldie and Dirk Southern for Victoria, and Brett Parnham Bobby Hughes for Utah). Hugo Carpentier stepped in as the sixth shooter for the Grizzlies and put a shot on Shantz that was smothered by the pads of the goaltender. Mike Hamilton took the sixth shot for Victoria and made a quick move and slide the puck between Erickson's legs into the net for the win. Victoria 3 Utah 2 in a shootout.

The Salmon Kings went 0/40.0% on the power play while the Grizzlies were 0/50.0%. Victoria outshot Utah 34-28.

Victoria now travels north for a three-game in three-nights series in Alaska versus the Aces (January 2nd, 3rd, and 4th). The Salmon Kings return home to play host to the National Conference leading Idaho Steelheads for a two-game set on January 8th and 9th. Puck drop for both games is 7:05 p.m. at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. For tickets, call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2009


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