Salmon Kings Weekly Report

Published on March 7, 2005 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC – The Victoria Salmon Kings finished the three game series with the Las Vegas Wranglers on Monday, losing to the Wranglers 5-2. The Bakersfield Condors visited Vancouver Island for the last time this season playing a two game set against the Salmon Kings on Friday and Saturday. The Condors are currently in a heated playoff battle with the Alaska Aces and the Long Beach Ice Dogs and needed the four points to keep pace. On Friday the Condors defeated the Salmon Kings 7-3 and on Saturday they capped the series beating Victoria 4-1.

The fluid roster was still liquid this week, as General Manager and Head Coach Bryan Maxwell released New York Rangers goalie product Dan Blackburn and Vancouver born forward Greg Keith. Into the line-up on Friday were five new Salmon Kings, forwards Geoff Rollins (Winston-Salem Polar Twins), Casey Bartzen (University of British Columbia), defenseman Kurtis Dulle (Regina University) and goaltenders Jaime McCaig (University of Lethbridge) and Robert Muntain (Regina University).

Muntain started the game on Friday after arriving in town only that morning and the nerves of his first game in professional hockey had to have been on his mind. Muntain allowed 6 goals on 40 shots through the first two periods before making way for McCaig to give it a try. The team played a much better third period and much tighter in their own zone, giving McCaig more of a chance between the pipes.

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Monday February 28, 2005 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers – L 5-2

The familiar story of a short bench and a full therapy room continued to haunt the Salmon Kings on Monday against the Wranglers. Only thirteen skaters populated the line-up card and although they worked and skated hard they were definitely at a disadvantage after the 10 minute mark of each period. The game remained within the Salmon Kings reach with the Wranglers only up by a single goal until late in the third period, when they scored to give themselves the two goal cushion. The Wranglers added an empty netter to make the final 5-2.

Friday March 4, 2005 vs. Bakersfield Condors – L7-3

The Salmon Kings were again looking to new players to fill the empty spots on the roster vacated by Dan Blackburn, Greg Keith and the many injured players still needing work from the team doctors. Goaltender Robert Muntain made his first start in professional hockey and faced a barrage of shots. The Condors beat the Salmon Kings and Muntain 6 times through two periods and forced Muntain to make 40 stops. Jaime McCaig replaced Muntain in the third and the Condors went on to defeat the Salmon Kings by a 7-3 final.

Saturday March 5, 2005 vs. Bakersfield Condors – L4-1

On Saturday the game had a much different look and feel. The Salmon Kings took the play to the Condors and the five new players added to the roster on Friday seemed to have settled a little into their new roles. Victoria took a one goal lead into the third period and that was when things turned bad. Two defensive miscues turned the game on its head, as halfway through the period the Condors took the lead 2-1. Things went from bad to worse for the Salmon Kings who were unable to recover from the mistakes and the Condors scored twice more including Mathieu Brunelle's fourth of the series, and Connor James' shorthanded deflection. Jaime McCaig started the game between the pipes for the Salmon Kings and played phenomenally making 35 saves on 39 shots. McCaig stood tall for a full two minute two man advantage for the Condors and confidently made huge glove saves to keep the score 1-0.

Salmon Kings Record

Overall: 57GP - 10-42-5 - .219%

Home: 33GP - 7-24-2

Road: 24GP - 3-18-3

Last 10: 1-9-0

Streak: 0-6-0

Last Week's Results

Monday February 28, 2005 vs. Las Vegas Wranglers – L 5-2

Friday March 4, 2005 vs. Bakersfield Condors – L7-3

Saturday March 5, 2005 vs. Bakersfield Condors – L4-1

Coming Up

Wednesday March 9, 2005 vs. Idaho Steelheads

Thursday March 10, 2005 vs. Idaho Steelheads

Saturday March 12, 2005 vs. Idaho Steelheads

Injuries

7 day IR

(D) Craig Zubersky

30 day IR

(D) Corey Smith

(D) Aaron Plumb

(F) Mark Smith

(F) Rob Voltera

Day-to-Day

(D) Nate Forster

(G) Jason Stone

Transactions

Signed

(G) #30 Jaime McCaig

(G) #31 Robert Muntain

(D) #8 Kurtis Dulle

(F) #25 Casey Bartzen

(F) #28 Geoff Rollins

Waived

(G) Dan Blackburn

(F) Greg Keith

Tickets

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

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