Salmon Kings Weekly Report

Published on February 21, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC – It was a tough week for the Salmon Kings on and off the ice. After a shootout win against the Fresno Falcons on Tuesday, Victoria and Fresno took to the ice on Wednesday when the rivalry heated into a third period line brawl. Things got worse before they got better for the Salmon Kings who eventually left the bench ending in suspensions to four players and the Head Coach.

The Salmon Kings then took to the road on Thursday, heading to Boise to face the Steelheads for the first of a weekend double header on Friday. The result was the worst loss in team franchise history as the team was only able to dress 14 skaters and was without Head Coach Bryan Maxwell.

The result on Saturday was better than Friday's, as the team wrapped up the two- gamer before coming back to Victoria on Sunday, to prepare for the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday and Wednesday and the first visit of the Las Vegas Wranglers on Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Week in Review

Tuesday February 15, 2005 vs. Fresno – Win 2-1 (SO)

Wednesday February 16, 2005 vs. Fresno – Loss 4-0

Friday February 18, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 12-3

Saturday February 19, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 4-2

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Tuesday February 15, 2005 vs. Fresno – Win 2-1 (SO)

The Fresno Falcons came back to town after being defeated by the Salmon Kings the last time the two teams faced each other on the 5th of February. The close match-up featured the rivalry that has developed between the two hockey clubs and the Falcons were frustrated by the Salmon Kings again. The Falcons are the only team that has been beaten by Victoria in the New Year and were obviously not happy with their performance in the back to back losses to the bottom team in the West Division.

Victoria forwards Ryan Finnerty and Ryan Wade scored for the Salmon Kings in the shootout while the Falcons Dan Tessier came up with the only response. Victoria starting goalie Dan Blackburn stood on head for most of the game making 33 saves on the night.

Wednesday February 16, 2005 vs. Fresno – Loss 4-0

The Falcons were back at Bear Mountain Arena, on a night that Coach Bryan Maxwell had given goalie Dan Blackburn the night off. It was obvious the Falcons had taken personally the back to back defeats against the Salmon Kings, and the first two periods were filled with penalties. The tension between the clubs had been boiling all night and in the third period things broke down. With the Salmon Kings trailing 3-0 a line brawl broke out.

The Salmon Kings players left the bench first, after seeing one of their players double teamed by a couple of Falcons, and they were soon followed by the rest of the Falcons players. The final score was 4-0 and the two hockey clubs tied the ECHL record for most penalty minutes in a single game with 304.

Friday February 18, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 12-3

The Salmon Kings limped to Boise to finish the week with a double header against the Steelheads. The defense already depleted with injuries was now decimated by suspensions. Dale Purinton, Jim Gattoliat, Dennis Mullen and Adam Campbell all assessed multiple games by the league, left only Nate Forster and Ryan Esselmont available for the Salmon Kings on the blue line. Also Coach Bryan Maxwell was handed three games and was not on the bench.

The result was the worst loss in franchise history. Playing with only 14 skaters the Salmon Kings gave up multiple goals to the Steelheads Lance Galbraith (3), Brett Draney (2), Scott Burt (2) and Frantisek Lukes (2). Dan Blackburn started the game for the Salmon Kings but was replaced by Jason Stone after allowing 7 goals against. 12-3 was the final.

Saturday February 19, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 4-2

The road trip ended in Boise on Saturday with the Salmon Kings playing a more solid game than the night before. The score was 3-2 heading into the third period with the Salmon Kings still very much in the game. The short bench hurt the Salmon Kings again though with the only scoring in the final stanza coming from the Steelheads to ice the Salmon 4-2.

The trio of Bobby Russell, Brett Draney and Jonathan Zion connected for a couple of goals in the seconds including the game winner. The Salmon Kings returned home on Sunday to prepare for the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday.

Looking Ahead

Salmon Kings Record

Overall: 50GP - 9-36-5 - .230%
Home: 26GP - 6-18-2
Road: 24GP - 3-18-3
Last 10: 2-8-0
Streak: 0-3-0

Last Week's Results

Tuesday February 15, 2005 vs. Fresno – Win 2-1 (SO)

Wednesday February 16, 2005 vs. Fresno – Loss 4-0

Friday February 18, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 12-3

Saturday February 19, 2005 @ Idaho – Loss 4-2

Coming Up

Tuesday February 22, 2005 vs. San Diego Gulls

Wednesday February 23, 2005 vs. San Diego Gulls

Friday February 25, 2005 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

Saturday February 26, 2005 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers

Injuries

30 Day IR

Brad Dexter (Shoulder)

Aaron Plumb (Head)

Mark Smith (Hand)

7 Day IR

Rob Voltera (Shoulder)

David Neale (Groin)

Transactions

Released

Dennis Mullen – February 21, 2005

Tickets

Available by phone (250) 220-7777, or online at www.selectyourtickets.com



ECHL Stories from February 21, 2005


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