Salmon Kings swarm Steelheads

February 10, 2007 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, bedazzled the Steelheads at Qwest Arena for a quick lead in the first period. Idaho came within a pair of goals on a pair of occasions but was eventually sunk 6-3.

Victoria went on a four-goal tear to control the beginning of the game. On the first Idaho powerplay of the game, Victoria Defenseman Matt Kelly spotted a loose puck and sped up into the Idaho zone. Wes Goldie joined the rush for a 2-on-1 and put away Kelly's backhand pass for a league-leading seventh shorthanded goal of the season.

Three minutes later Kiel McLeod dumped the puck to the left corner, and Darryl Lloyd threw it to the crease for a trailing Derek Krestanovich, who knocked in the biscuit for his seventh goal of the season and the Salmon Kings 2-0 lead. With 2:31 remaining in the first period, Goldie caught up with a bouncing puck and slid down the left wing for a breakaway. His right handed shot beat Goaltender Steve Silverthorn gloveside, and Goldie collected his 50th point of the season.

Victoria added to their lead to kick off the second stanza as after F.P. Guenette was stopped on a breakaway the Steelheads couldn't clear and Milan Gajic capitalized with a backhanded shuffle across the crease. John Daigneau replaced Silverthorn between the pipes as Victoria led 4-0 with 18:42 remaining in the second.

Idaho scored on a powerplay at 7:09 into the middle frame. A shot from the high centre slot rang off the left post and off the skate of Netminder Julien Ellis, and was shovelled into the mesh by Derek Nesbitt.

The Steelheads closed the gap to 4-2 just 42 seconds into the final stanza. Marty Flichel took a shot from the right point and it trickled in beyond Ellis' left pad. Darryl Lloyd gave the Salmon Kings another three-goal lead at 3:06 into the third as Derek Krestanovich pushed the puck back into the Steelheads zone to create a 3-on-1 and Lloyd slipped it shortside from the edge of the left circle.

A two-man advantage powerplay gave Idaho an opportunity for another comeback and with controlled movement of the puck they opened up veteran Darryl Hay for a one-timer from the left circle. His shot zipped inside the left post for his fifth goal of the season.

The Salmon Kings sealed the win as while shorthanded six to four the Krestanovich brothers applied pressure and forced a turnover. Derek flipped the puck forward to older brother Jordan for the shorthanded empty net goal.

Final: 6-3 Salmon Kings

Ellis had just been reassigned to the Salmon Kings by the Moose and earned his eleventh win in the ECHL, and Silverthorn was credited with his 12th loss. Victoria was 0 for 5 in the powerplay (however they tallied two shorthanded goals) and Idaho went 2 for 8 with the man advantage. The Salmon Kings (20-28-0-1) finish the road trip to Boise with a rubber match to the two-week, five-game series against the Steelheads (24-18-2-1), tomorrow starting at 7:10 p.m. (MT).

Notes:

- Wes Goldie leads the ECHL in shorthanded goals (7).

- The Salmon Kings are 5-1-0 in their last six road games; 7-3-0 in last ten games.

- Team record set with two shorthanded goals in one game (Goldie, Jordan Krestanovich)

- F.P. Guenette is on a three-game point streak (1g, 2a)

After the set in Idaho, the Salmon Kings return home for a three-game series versus the Pacific-division Stockton Thunder, starting February 14th at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Pick any 3 games or 3 tickets to one game for only $43! Call today (250) 220-2614.



ECHL Stories from February 10, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central