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Salmon Kings shake the Gray zone

March 30, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, were stunned by Utah Goaltender Ben Gray to start off game two of the series at the E-Center, but came back to vanquish the Grizzlies in overtime 4-3 and hit the .500 mark.

Emotions were high as seven combined powerplays took place in the first period, and the Grizzlies capitalized at 6:22 into the frame. Travis Rycroft was led up the ice by Joel Irving, and Rycroft powered to the net to tuck the puck backhand underneath Netminder Bryan Bridges.

Utah added another powerplay goal at 2:55 in the second stanza as the rebound from Andy Sertich's blueline slaphot was scooped up by Matt Craig waiting on the doorstep for the 2-0 advantage. Victoria's Wes Goldie solved Gray with 14 seconds remaining in the period, and earned his 250th pro career goal. On the powerplay, Jordan Krestanovich traded passes at the point with Kiel McLeod until McLeod fed Goldie down low, and his wristshot snapped top corner farside form the right circle.

With 8:31 remaining in the third frame, McLeod fed Matt Kelly at the left point and the rookie defenseman tallied his ninth goal of the season to tie the game 2-2. After the ensuing faceoff, Utah was granted a penalty shot in a tripping call, and Danny Stewart snagged the lead back for the Grizzlies. Bridges challenged Stewart, but the left-hander shifted to the backhand and lit the lamp.

The home crowd of 5,906 was in Utah's favour, however with 5:18 left in regulation, Milan Gajic tied the game 3-3 with his first shorthanded goal of the season. McLeod chased down a sliding puck into the Grizzlies zone and left it for the trailing Gajic who snapped it from the right slot.

Victoria and Utah met for the first time in extra periods this season, and the Grizzlies began the overtime on a powerplay. The Salmon Kings kept the crease clear and then capitalized on their own powerplay opportunity. Goldie's shot from the top of the left circle led to a scramble for a rebound, and McLeod swooped in to shoot the game winning goal passed Gray into the open cage.

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