Salmon Kings Held Back by Aces

March 31, 2011 - 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 the Alaska Aces in the first of a three game set. The Salmon Kings started David Shantz between the pipes, while the Aces countered with Adam Courchaine.

Victoria had the best opportunity of the opening minutes after Tommy Maxwell took a slap shot from the top of the right circle. Courchaine made the save, but the rebound bounced out into the slot for Kiel McLeod. The Salmon Kings' forward quickly pounced on the loose puck, but Courchaine stretched his right leg out to deny the shooter. Minutes later, Josh Aspenlind burst in and put a shot on net from the left circle. Courchaine made the initial stop, but Adam Taylor collected the rebound from outside the crease and potted the puck into the empty net. The marker was scored at 5:46 and was Taylor's fifth of the season. The Salmon Kings continued to pressure after Rob Hennigar collected the puck in the left corner and threw it across the crease to Chad Painchaud. The Victoria sniper quickly tapped the puck past Courchaine for his team leading 26th marker of the year at 8:21. On the second goal, Hennigar notched his 53rd assist of the year, breaking the Salmon Kings' single season record. Past the halfway point of the period on a delayed penalty call against Victoria, Scott Howes found Mark Isherwood in the high slot. The Aces rookie one-timed the puck past Shantz for his 15th at 13:00. Alaska then tied the game up on Wes Goldie's 44th of the season. From behind the net Howes found Goldie alone in the slot, who quickly put the puck past Shantz at 16:51. The teams took a 2-2 tie into the second period.

Victoria started the second down a man, but they were able to successfully kill off the penalty. As the teams battled for the go ahead goal, the Salmon Kings highlighted the opening half of the period with strong defensive play. Jimmy Spratt replaced Shantz in the Victoria net at the 10 minute mark. On an Alaska power play Steve Ward threw the puck on net from the blue line. Curtis Fraser deflected the puck past the screened Salmon Kings' goaltender for his sixth at 13:30. Victoria then picked up their physical play after Maxwell crushed Howes in the neutral zone with a clean body check. Alaska took a 3-2 lead into the final period.

The Salmon Kings found themselves shorthanded on two separate occasions early in the third period, but Spratt made several quality saves to keep a one-goal game. Alaska looked to protect their lead after they shut down Victoria in the neutral zone on numerous breakouts. At the 13:43 mark after a neutral zone turnover, Ethan Cox skated in on the left side and sniped a shot over the glove of Spratt and off the crossbar for his 13th. Victoria had a late power play, but they were unable to get their chances past the Alaska netminder. Aces 4 Salmon Kings 2

Victoria went 0/2 0.0% on the power play, while Alaska was 1/6 16.6%. The Aces outshot the Salmon Kings 24-23.

Tickets for the first two home dates in the opening round of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs are in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, online at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at 250-220-7777. The Western Conference quarterfinals series is a 2-3 format with the higher seed choosing the first two or final three games at home.

Victoria finishes up their regular season with the final two games against the Aces Friday April 1st and Saturday April 2nd. Game time is at 7:05 for both contests. On Friday's game be a part of "Fan Zone Friday", and the push into the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs with a $5 ticket offer that is being opened for all seats in end-zone sections 105 and 113. There is no minimum or maximum ticket purchase required, so make sure to get your tickets now before the limited amount available are sold out. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from March 31, 2011


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