Salmon Kings Fall to Aces

Published on March 10, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK- In a Wednesday night matchup at the Sullivan Arena, the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Alaska Aces in the first of a three-game set. The Salmon Kings started Manitoba Moose contracted goaltender David Shantz between the pipes, while the Aces countered with former Ottawa 67 Adam Courchaine.

The game started off with a frenzied pace as both teams looked for the opening marker. The Salmon Kings had an early power play opportunity two minutes into the game after Chad Anderson took a tripping penalty. While on the man advantage, defenseman Craig Lineker took a shot from the left point that beat Courchaine cleanly. Referee Curtis Marouelli was quick to call back the goal after he claimed goaltender interference on the play. The pace died down after the disallowed goal as both teams settled into a defensive style of play. Just past the halfway point of the period on a faceoff to the left of Shantz, Wes Goldie jumped in to collect the puck on the faceoff dot. The Alaska forward snapped a shot low blocker side past the Victoria goaltender. The goal was scored a 13:34 and was Goldie's 33rd of the year. The Aces took their 1-0 lead into the second period,

As the Salmon Kings looked to pull even early in the middle frame, Alaska forward Scott Howes came down the right wing and cut to the slot as he fired a shot on net. The puck snuck through the legs of a screened Shantz and trickled over the goal line at 3:25. The goal was the former Salmon Kings' 17th of the campaign. As Victoria looked for their first goal, Ryan Turek gave them a spark after he flattened Kory Falite in the left corner of the Victoria zone. As the Salmon Kings pushed to get on the board, forward Rob Hennigar burst down the right side and fed Matt Siddall in the left faceoff circle. The Victoria forward one-timed the puck into the net before Courchaine could slide over and make the save. The goal was Siddall's 19th and was notched at 14:32. The Salmon Kings were able to swing the momentum of the game in the last half of the second period as they trailed 2-1 going into the final period.

The Aces received an early power play in the third period as they attempted to double their lead. Just 45 seconds into the frame on the man advantage Howes received a pass into the left faceoff circle and then spun around to feed Goldie in front of the net. The former Salmon King directed the puck around Shantz for his second of the night. Victoria replied six minutes later at 7:02 after Milan Gajic collected the rebound off a Kiel McLeod shot. The Burnaby, BC native sniped the top corner for his 15th of the campaign. Alaska would then score twice in a span of 2:08 to extend their lead to 5-2. Forward Ethan Cox buried a Goldie centering pass for his ninth of the year, while Kory Falite finished off a nice tic-tac-toe passing play with his 15th of the season. The Salmon Kings pulled back within two on the power play on Jeff Caister's 6th at 16:42. The Victoria defenseman found a loose puck in the slot and fired the puck through a maze of bodies and past Courchaine. As the visiting team looked to get closer in the late stages, Alaska shut them down defensively for the remainder of the game to secure the win. Aces 5 Salmon Kings 3.

Victoria went 1/3 33.3% on the power play, while Alaska was 1/2 50.0%. The Aces outshot the Salmon Kings 27-26.

Victoria plays the second game of their three game set against the Alaska Aces Friday March 11th. Game three will go Saturday March 12th. Start times for both nights are at 8:15 pm. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. The Salmon Kings return home to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre Wednesday March 16th to kick off a three game set against the Utah Grizzlies. Game-time is at 7:05 pm. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.

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