Steelheads stun Salmon Kings

Published on February 3, 2007 under ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, had their club record-breaking winning streak disrupted by a buzzing Idaho Steelheads, as they could not recover from a five-goal deficit in the third period and fell 6-2.

Idaho took the 1-0 lead at 2:37 into the first period as Defenseman Kyle Peto joined a rush and snapped in a rebound during a Steelheads powerplay, after they had cycled it around the left circle and fed the point for the initial shot. Lance Galbraith earned his 18th goal of the season as the Steelheads nabbed the two-goal advantage at 4:32 into the first.

With 59 seconds remaining in the first, Mike Gabinet capitalized on a 2-on-1 rush after Idaho had silenced the Salmon Kings powerplay. Gabinet soared into the left slot and tapped Galbraith's pass under Goaltender Bryan Bridges for the 3-0 lead.

Idaho added their fourth goal at 3:00 into the second stanza when the puck was dumped behind the Victoria net and Derek Nesbitt spotted Marty Flichel on the doorstep, and he beat Bridges shortside.

Victoria got on the board as F.P. Guenette tallied a shorthanded goal at 8:19 into the second. Guenette sped past the Idaho defenseman and jumped on a loose puck for the breakaway. He pulled the puck backhand to beat Netminder Steve Silverthorn. The Steelheads responded to gain the 5-1 lead with 7:15 left in the middle frame. Colin Shields carried the puck down the left wing and dropped it to Scott Burt who slipped it under the glove of Bridges. Alexandre Vincent replaced Bridges between the pipes for his first appearance at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

Blake Forsyth threw a shot to the net at the 6-foot-4 Vincent, and Charlie Johnson pounced on the rebound to hit the cage for a 6-1 Idaho lead with 5:00 remaining in the second.

The Salmon Kings got physical on the boards and forced a goal at 3:39 into the final period. From behind the Steelheads net, Milan Gajic fed rookie Defenseman Seamus Young as he pinched to the left circle and tallied his seventh goal of the season. Victoria grabbed the third period victory but Idaho left with the win, and split the series.

Final: 6-2 Steelheads

Silverthorn captured his 19th win of the season, and Bridges was dealt his 15th loss. Victoria was scoreless in three powerplay opportunities, and Idaho went 1 for 3 with the man advantage. The Steelheads outshot the Salmon Kings 45-25. The Salmon Kings (19-27-0-1) swim into Idaho for series two against the Steelheads (23-17-2-1) starting next Wednesday (Feb 7) at Qwest Arena. The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. (MT).

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ECHL Stories from February 3, 2007


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