Salmon Kings show a good hand to a full house of Aces

October 21, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, took the first bite out of the defending Kelly Cup Champions-the Alaska Aces-in their first game of the 2006-07 season in front of a sell out crowd of 6451 at Sullivan Arena. The Salmon Kings were able to keep up at even strength, but it was the special teams that made the difference as Alaska ended on top, 5-3.

Veteran Dave Belitski got the nod to start as goaltender for the Salmon Kings, and made a couple of saves to spring the Victoria power play to score first. Forward Kiel McLeod capitalized on a rebound started by a point shot from Defenseman Gustav Engman to give Victoria the 1-0 lead at 3:27 in the first period.

Defenseman Matt Shasby picked up a loose puck to score a shorthanded goal just fourteen seconds later to tie the game 1-1. The Salmon Kings spent the majority of the first frame on the penalty kill, and the Aces took advantage. Forwards Kimbi Daniels and Olivier Filion each tallied a power play goal, going top shelf on Belitski. Aces held a 3-1 lead into the first intermission.

The Salmon Kings came out swimming in the second period and scored the only even strength goal of the night. 22-year-old Forward Darryl Lloyd netted a Salmon Kings goal on their first shot of the second period, with assists awarded to David Wrigley and Ryan Wade. Alaska earned another power play goal as Kevin Croxton grabbed a rebound and found an open cage.

The Aces held a 4-2 lead into the final frame. Victoria had a goal waved off because of a high stick at 12:31 into the third, but responded with a power play goal with 3:25 left in the game. Adam Taylor won the faceoff in Aces territory and fed the puck to Defenseman Matt Kelly, who passed to F.P. Guenette for the blast past Netminder Derek Gustafson.

With a 4-3 lead in the final minute, Alaska sealed the game with an open net goal as the Salmon Kings pulled Belitski to try to gain an advantage.

Gustafson earned the first win for the 2006-07 season, and Belitski was handed his first loss. Victoria was 2 for 9 on the power play and Alaska was 3 for 8 with the man advantage. The Salmon Kings outshot the Aces 29-28.

NOTES:

-Six-foot-six Forward Kiel McLeod scored the first Salmon Kings goal in the 2006-07 season.

-Matt Kelly, David Wrigley, and Darryl Lloyd each earned their first point in the ECHL.

-Victoria outshot Alaska 15-9 in the third period.

Faceoff for game two of the two-game series begins tomorrow at 7:15 AKT (8:15 PT).

Purchase the United Way Home Opener pack to help donate $6 to the United Way campaign. You get a ticket to each of the games of the Salmon Kings home opener series starting October 25th, for only $40!

For Salmon Kings single game tickets or other package deals, call (250) 220-7777. We're ready for hockey. How about you?



ECHL Stories from October 21, 2006


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