Salmon Kings Trump Aces

December 9, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK - In a Wednesday night matchup the Victoria Salmon Kings looked to extend their three-game road winning streak and to snap a six-game losing skid as they battled the Alaska Aces at the Sullivan Arena. Victoria's David Shantz started in net, while Alaska gave the nod to Adam Courchaine.

The first meeting of the 2010-11 season between the two arch rivals would have added significance this year as former Aces Derick Martin, Matt Stefanishion and Ryan Turek returned to Anchorage to face their former club. It would also be the first time that former Salmon Kings Wes Goldie and Scott Howes would face Victoria.

Victoria came out with a solid effort to begin the game. Both teams played a cautious first five minutes as to get a feel for their opponent. The Salmon Kings got the first scoring opportunity of the game, and they would make it count as Matt Siddall struck for his team-leading 11th goal of the campaign at 6:25 of the opening frame. The play began as Rob Hennigar carried the puck down the left wing on a 2-on-1 with Siddall. Hennigar then threaded the needle with a pass to his open teammate who re-directed the puck into the net. Alaska had an opportunity to tie the game when Victoria took back-to-back penalties that would afford the Aces a 19-second 5-on-3 power play. The Salmon Kings' penalty killers stood tall as they prevented any chances to score. The Salmon Kings skated into the intermission with a 1-0 advantage.

Victoria was awarded an early man advantage in the middle frame as Brendan Gentile was nabbed on a hooking minor. The Salmon Kings utilized the power play to double their lead at the three minute mark. Chad Painchaud let a shot go from the high slot that pinballed off the leg of an Aces defender, then off of Siddall's skate and into the back of the net for the Victoria forward's second marker of the game. The Aces found their offensive flow after Siddall's second goal. The home team strung together quality offensive shifts, and at the seven minute mark of the period Alaska would be rewarded. Jared Stewart carried the puck into the Kings' zone down the left wing. As he crossed the blue line he was sandwiched by two Victoria defenders, but managed to pass the puck to teammate Ethan Cox who quickly snapped a shot that beat Shantz over his left shoulder into the net. Cox's goal was his fourth of the season. Alaska continued to apply pressure, but Victoria held Alaska at bay for the final 13 minutes of the frame. Shantz finished the period with 18 saves and the Salmon Kings led 2-1 score after 40 minutes.

The Salmon Kings began the third with both Martin and Stefanishion in the penalty box, and 33 seconds remaining of a 5-on-3 power play for the Aces. Victoria's Turek had the puck on the right half wall in his own zone as the first of the two penalties expired. Stefanishion stepped out of the penalty box and Turek hit him with a pass that sprung him on a breakaway. As the Victoria forward came in on Courchaine he made a forehand-to-backhand move before he moved back to his forehand to fire a wrist shot that was snatched out of the air by a brilliant glove save. As Stefanishion let the shot go he received a slash from Mark Isherwood who had raced after the Kings' forward, but was only able to catch him with his stick. Isherwood received a two minute minor penalty on the play that negated the remainder of Alaska's man advantage. The Aces also had a breakaway opportunity in the third period when Goldie broke into the zone all alone, but a back-checking Martin caught up to the play and forced the Aces' sniper to the right side of the ice. This resulted in a slap-shot from the former Salmon Kings' captain from the right face-off circle that was turned away by Shantz. At the 12:14 mark of the period, Victoria's Josh Aspenlind spun off an Aces' player in the high slot and slid the puck to teammate Garth Murray who was open just a few feet away. The veteran forward quickly threw a shot on net that went under Courchaine and into the goal for the insurance marker and a 3-1 lead. The Salmon Kings' held Alaska at bay for the remainder of the period. Salmon Kings 3 Aces 1.

Victoria went 1/5 20.0% on the power play, while Alaska was 0/5 0.0%. The Aces outshot the Salmon Kings 33-19.

The Salmon Kings continue their two game set with the Alaska Aces tomorrow night with puck drop at 8: 15 p.m. Victoria continues their five-game road trip on Wednesday December 15th with a two-game set versus the Idaho Steelheads. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. The Salmon Kings return home on Tuesday, December 28th to open up a two-game set versus the Ontario Reign. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



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