Salmon Kings Drop Opener
April 26, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release
Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings began their National Conference Semi-Final versus the Utah Grizzlies tonight. The Kings eliminated Bakersfield on Tuesday evening with a 6-5 overtime victory for a 4-2 series win.
The Salmon Kings looked to get out to a quick start versus the Grizzlies in Game 1 of the series. Victoria's Marc-Andre Bernier and Milan Gajic looked to ignite the Kings and were able to beat Utah's goalie Nathan Lawson, but were both stymied by the goal post on the same shift. The Grizzlies were first to get on the board when Travis Rycroft grabbed a rebound and flipped it past Victoria netminder, Billy Thompson. Andrew MacDonald and Michael Haley drew the assists. With five minutes left in the first period a Utah two man breakaway challenged Thompson, but he made the save to keep the score 1-0 Utah after the first period.
The Grizzlies started the scoring in the second when Ryan Kinasewich scored on a short-handed breakaway. Utah made it 3-0 on the power play when a point shot went wide of the net, but a screened Thompson could not react as the puck ricocheted off the end boards and bounced on to Tyler Haskins stick and he lifted it into the net. Utah led 3-0 after 40 minutes.
The Grizzlies continued the pressure in the third period and were rewarded as they notched three more goals. Utah scored one versus Thompson and two versus Julien Ellis who had came into the Victoria net with 16:27 remaining. Lawson collected the shut out for the Grizzlies. Utah 6 Victoria 0. The Grizzlies lead the series 1-0. The teams tied in shots on goal with 31 each.
The series continues on Sunday evening as the Salmon Kings look to rebound at 5:05 p.m. at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. For tickets visit information call 220-7889.
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