Taylor records overtime winner

December 3, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Stanley Cup made its first visit to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre tonight, when the Victoria Salmon Kings hosted the Utah Grizzlies. Victoria defeated Utah, 5-4 in overtime.

Victoria returned from the road with a vengeance, taking the play immediately to the Grizzlies. The Salmon Kings tough play forced Utah Defenseman Ian Forbes to take a cross-checking penalty just one minute into the game.

Victoria capitalized on their first powerplay at 1:13, when Defenseman Kurt Drummond rifled a shot on net, and it was deflected in front by Forward Lanny Gare past Grizzlies Goaltender Alfie Michaud.

The Salmon Kings continued to pressure the Grizzlies who were on their heels, and the Salmon Kings found the back of the net for the second time, just 1:16 later. After a defensive breakdown in the Grizzlies zone, Forward Dustan Heintz sent KC Timmons in alone on Michaud, and he beat the goalie through the five hole to make it 2-0, just 2:28 into the opening period.

The Grizzlies scored four unanswered goals starting with Defenseman Brian Escobedo's first of the season at 7:34 of the first period, and then they notched three more markers to open the second. Forward Brad Herauf scored his sixth goal of the season at 7:34, followed by his second goal of the night just 39 seconds later. Forward Travis Rycroft got his third of the campaign to lift the Grizzlies to a 4-2 lead at the 9:52 mark of the second stanza.

The Salmon Kings did not lie down though and worked their way back into the game when Gare scored his second of the night, on a tap in, when Forward Mike Wirll fed a beautiful cross ice pass to record his second assist of the night.

Then with 16 seconds left in the second period, Forward Jade Galbraith scored the game tying goal on a tremendous solo effort. He took the pass at the blueline from Drummond and worked his way through three Grizzlies defenders, and finally beat a sprawling Michaud.

The teams skated the third period into the books tied at four, and the game was eerily reminiscent of the last time the Salmon Kings played at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, when they won it in overtime.

Early in the extra period the Salmon Kings took the puck into the Grizzlies zone and set up in front of the goal. Defenseman Simon Mangos fired the shot at the net and Forward Adam Taylor recorded his fifth goal of the season off a deflection, beating Michaud and handing the Salmon Kings the two points.

Victoria finished one for two on the powerplay while the Grizzlies converted two of their five opportunities, while each team recorded 30 shots on goal in front of 4746 fans at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre.

The Salmon Kings and Grizzlies play game two of the three game series tomorrow, and wrap up this weekend's festivities on Sunday afternoon when Victoria will hold their first annual Teddy Bear Toss, after the Salmon Kings first goal. Following the match on Sunday, KidSport will host a Post-Game Skate with the Salmon Kings. For a donation to KidSport fans can skate with their favorite players.

Tickets for all Salmon Kings home games are available from Select Your Tickets at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, online at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at 250-220-7777.

To purchase Salmon Kings Season, Half Season, Super Saturday's, Crazy Eight's, Mini-Packs and Group Ticket Packages contact Devin Mazur at 250-220-7888 ext.1.



ECHL Stories from December 3, 2005


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