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Stockton solves Salmon Kings in Shoot Out

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


Stockton, CA - The Victoria Salmon Kings, proud affiliate of the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks, attacked with a deadly powerplay in game two versus the Stockton Thunder, but were halted at the hands of Netminder Devan Dubnyk in a 5-4 shoot out loss.

Salmon Kings Captain Kiel McLeod earned his 100th pro point and gave Victoria the 1-0 lead at 5:37 into the first period. While on the powerplay, McLeod sliced to the net, after scooping up a rebound from a Mike Stutzel tough angle shot, and beat Dubnyk to quiet the crowd of 6,045.

Stockton responded one and a half minutes later as a turned away Salmon Kings one-timer attempt resulted in an odd man rush for the Thunder. From the left boards, Mathieu Melanson spotted Brock Radunske heading to the Victoria net and Radunske redirected the pass over Goaltender Julien Ellis' glove for the 1-1 tie.

Still in the first period, Melanson gave Stockton the 2-1 lead as he handled a pass from the left boards by Colin Pepperall and snapped it past Ellis from the right circle. Victoria countered with their second powerplay of the game and tied it up 2-2 as Gajic finished a feed from the left corner by F.P. Guenette with a one-timer for his 16th goal of the season.

At 5:44 into the second frame, the Thunder scored on the powerplay to regain the lead. A Salmon Kings clearing attempt was kept in by Pepperall and Beau Geisler hopped into the slot to beat Ellis five-hole. Victoria tallied another powerplay goal and tied the score 3-3 under two minutes later. From the right point, Veteran Steve Lingren passed down low to Guenette who dished to Wes Goldie on the inside edge of the right circle and Goldie notched his 33rd goal of the season with a wristshot up top.

Stockton scooped the 4-3 lead as Pepperall earned his first goal of the season. Ellis made a few consecutive saves until Pepperall jammed at the puck at the right of the crease for the goal at 5:17 into the third. A little over one minute later, the Salmon Kings lit the lamp as Gajic chased down a puck into Stockton territory and poked it free from behind the net to a streaking Mike Stutzel at the slot. Stutzel posted his 12th goal of the season with a one-timer slapshot past Dubnyk.

The crease was kept clear for remaining 13:40 of the third period and Dubnyk stopped a Goldie penalty shot attempt.

Despite the Thunder outshooting the Salmon Kings 6-0, the extra overtime period remained scoreless. The Salmon Kings were forced into their third shoot out in the last six games.

Dubnyk turned away all five Victoria shooters, and Tim Verbeek toppled Ellis blocker side as Stockton's second shooter.

Final: 5-4 Thunder, SO

Dubnyk earned his 16th win of the season, and Ellis suffered his first shoot out loss. Victoria was 3 for 5 on the powerplay and Stockton was 1 for 6 with the man advantage. The Thunder outshot the Salmon Kings 54-30. The Salmon Kings (26-31-1-2) meet Stockton (26-21-5-5) for game three of the series tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Stockton Arena.

NOTES:

- The Salmon Kings moved up to seventh spot in National Conference (past Phoenix)

- The Salmon Kings are undefeated in regulation in March; have earned a point in 10 of last 12 games.

- Kiel McLeod earned his 100th pro point with the first goal of the game.

- Milan Gajic grabbed a three-point game.

- Julien Ellis collected a 0.926 save percentage in the loss.

The Salmon Kings next home series begins Thursday March 15th versus the Utah Grizzlies. The Victoria Salmon Kings Booster Club invites all fans to the final session of "Skate with the Salmon Kings" following the Sunday, March 18th game, which starts at 1:00 p.m.

Individual game tickets for the 2006-07 regular season can be purchased at the Select Your Tickets Box Office at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, flex packs, and other great ticket deals are available by calling (250) 220-2614.



ECHL Stories from March 10, 2007


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