Salmon Kings Roped up by Wranglers

January 13, 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 Pacific Division leading Las Vegas Wranglers. The Salmon Kings called on St. Louis Blues draft pick Chris Beckford-Tseu between the pipes while the Wranglers countered with Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Joe Fallon.

The first seven minutes opened with end-to-end action as both teams looked for the game's opening marker. At the 7:30 mark Victoria forward Matt Siddall found himself alone with the puck at the right face-off dot. The Salmon Kings' leading goal scorer took a quick snap shot that went off the left post and into the net behind Fallon. The marker was Siddall's 17th of the year. The Wranglers looked to pull back minutes later. Ryan Huddy broke in one-on-one with a Salmon Kings defender; the shifty forward made a couple moves towards the net, but was poke checked by Beckford-Tseu to negate the opportunity. The Wranglers received back-to-back power plays, and would capitalize on the latter at 13:00. Eddie DelGrosso walked the blue line from the right side and put a quick shot on net. The puck made it through a maze of bodies and went off the crossbar past the Victoria goaltender for DelGrosso's first of the season. The teams went into the second knotted up 1-1, as Victoria received a late power play.

The leagues' second best penalty killing unit were able to shut down the Salmon Kings' power play to open the frame. Tempers started to flare during a shift change when numerous players started pushing and shoving along the boards. Order was quickly restored with each team receiving one minor penalty. While playing four-on-four at 4:46 the Salmon Kings regained their lead. From the left corner Michael Wilson found Rick Cleaver just above the hash-marks. The Parksville, BC native one timed the puck, which deflected off a player in front and fluttered into the net for his ninth on the campaign. Wranglers forward Blair Riley went in on a shorthanded breakaway at 8:39. The former Nanaimo Clipper deked to his backhand and out waited Beckford-Tseu for his fifth of the season. Breaking in 1-on-2 Cleaver kicked the puck to his skates from just inside the blue line. The Salmon Kings' forward fired a saucer pass to Ryan MacMurchy who was breaking in down the right wing. The St. Louis Blues draft pick sniped a shot over the Fallon's glove at 15:56 for his ninth tally of the year. The Salmon Kings took their 3-2 lead into the final period of play.

Victoria held the momentum for the first five minutes of the period, as they looked for an insurance marker. Blake Gallagher broke in on a 3-on-1 down the right hand side and blasted a slap shot on the Victoria net. Beckford-Tseu made the initial save with his right pad, but the rebound found the stick of Riley who buried it for his second of the night at 12:30. Las Vegas found the game winning goal at 17:08. Greg Collins found a loose puck in front of the Salmon Kings net and put it past Beckford-Tseu's glove for his seventh of the year. Victoria pulled their goalie at 18:25 for the extra attacker, but Las Vegas would add an empty net goal to salt away the victory. Wranglers 5 Salmon King 3.

Victoria went 0/5 0.0% on the power play, while Las Vegas was 1/4 25.0%. The Wranglers outshot the Salmon Kings 26-22.

The Salmon Kings now embark on a five game road trip which starts off with a three game series against the Idaho Steelheads at Qwest Arena. Game time for all three games is at 6:10 pm PST. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. Victoria returns home to open another three-game set with the Wranglers beginning Friday, January 28th. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from January 13, 2011


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