Salmon Kings Rally for Game 3 Win in Overtime

Published on April 21, 2011 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC- In a Wednesday night matchup at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Utah Grizzlies in Game 3 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinal. The Salmon Kings came in with a 2-0 series lead. Victoria started David Shantz in net, while the Grizzlies went with J.P Lamoureux.

Victoria applied pressure early in the game as they had several scoring chances in the opening minutes of play, but the Grizzlies' goaltender made multiple quality stops. Six minutes into the contest Utah had their first power play opportunity of the night, but a strong penalty kill by the Salmon Kings negated the man advantage. Victoria went back on the attack after the penalty kill and almost opened the scoring after Rob Hennigar found the puck in the slot and fired the puck just past the outside of the left post. Minutes later, Salmon Kings' forward Milan Gajic broke down the left side and fed Josh Aspenlind in the high slot. The Victoria forward took a shot and then crashed the net for the rebound. The puck headed towards the goal line, but Lamoureux reached back to grab the puck to keep the game scoreless. The Salmon Kings held a 12-7 lead in shots as the game remained scoreless after one period.

The Salmon Kings had a strong start to the period, but a quick break by Utah saw them open the score. Simon Ferguson burst down the left side and cut to the right before he moved around Shantz and put the puck over his outstretched glove. The goal was scored at 2:35 and was Ferguson's fourth of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Grizzlies notched their second marker 30 seconds later after Paul Mcllveen received a pass to the left of the crease that he deposited in the net for his second of the post season. Utah continued to press the Salmon Kings for the next several minutes, but were not able to beat Shantz. With just under five minutes remaining in the period Utah went on a 5-on-3 man advantage for 23 seconds. Once again the Salmon Kings penalty killers were able to block the shooting lanes and limit the scoring opportunities to keep it a two goal game. Victoria used the momentum from the penalty kill and at 18:57 Gajic fed a pass between two Grizzlies defenders to send Kiel McLeod in on a breakaway. The Victoria veteran slid the puck between the legs of Lamoureux for his second of the playoffs. The Salmon Kings were able to swing the momentum in the last few minutes of the period as they trailed 2-1 heading into the final period.

Victoria received an early power play in the period that turned into a 5-on-3 man advantage for 35 seconds. After the first penalty had expired defenseman Ryan Turek fed a cross seam pass to Matt Siddall from the left corner. The Salmon Kings' forward quickly snapped the puck past the glove off Lamoureux to tie the game at 5:56. The marker was Siddall's second of the playoffs and tied the game 2-2. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the period as they looked for the go ahead goal. With just under seven minutes remaining, the Salmon Kings broke out into Utah's zone. Adam Taylor found defender Derick Martin in the high slot, who wristed the puck on net. A swarm of players gathered around the net for the loose puck, but the Grizzlies were able to clear it out of the crease. The excitement rose in the last minute of the third period after Rob Hennigar cut towards the net from the left side. The Salmon Kings' forward went to his backhand, but Lamoureux was able to make the save. Seconds later Victoria came down on a 3-on-2 rush. Chad Painchaud received the puck on the left side and unleashed a wrist shot, but the Grizzlies netminder just got his blocker on the puck to steer it out of play. The game remained tied 2-2 after an entertaining third period and would be decided in overtime.

Off the opening faceoff of the extra frame, Salmon Kings' defenseman Jeff Caister found Adam Taylor who chipped the puck off the boards to send Josh Aspenlind in on a 2-on-1 break. The Victoria forward snapped a quick shot from the left circle that went top corner over the glove of Lamoureux for the game winning goal just 11 seconds in. Salmon Kings 3 Grizzlies 2. Victoria leads the best-of-seven Western Conference Semifinal series 3-0.

Victoria went 1/3 33.3% on the power play, while Utah was 0/3 0.0%. The Salmon Kings outshot the Grizzlies 31-25.

Game 4 is on Friday April 22nd. Game time is at 7:05 pm. Tickets are available for as low as $5 for all home dates. The first 1,000 fans that attend the home playoff games will receive a complimentary white Salmon Kings' rally towel. In addition the first 1,800 fans that attend Friday night's game will receive a complimentary Marty the Marmot bobblehead sponsored by Coke Zero. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.

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