Victoria claims 4-3 victory in second straight shootout over Stockton

March 27, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Stockton, CA- In a Saturday night contest at the Stockton Arena, the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Stockton Thunder in the third game of their four game road trip. The Salmon Kings gave David Shantz the start in net, while the Thunder countered with Zane Kalemba.

The game opened with a quick pace as both teams tested the opposing goaltenders with chances in the early minutes. At the 6:02 mark, Matt Siddall skated into the right wing corner as he collected the puck at the goal line. The Salmon Kings' forward threw a shot on goal from the bad angle that directed off the leg of Kalemba into the net. Siddall's 21st of the season helped the Salmon Kings control the majority of play in the next 10 minutes of the period. As Victoria continued their strong start to the game, Stockton thought they tied the score near the 15 minute mark. Thunder defender Jordan Bendfeld put a shot on net from the right point that eluded Shantz. Referee JM McNulty was quick to negate the goal on a delayed penalty call to the Thunder. As the ensuing Victoria power play expired, Rick Cleaver fired a cross-ice pass to Milan Gajic in transition up the right wing. Gajic made a move around a Thunder defender and fired his 19th of the year past the blocker of Kalemba at 17:19. The Salmon Kings headed into the middle period with a 2-0 lead.

The Salmon Kings were given a penalty after the final whistle of the first period and began the middle frame shorthanded. Victoria took back control of the game immediately after the successful penalty kill, and held the play in the Thunder's end for the next few minutes. Kiel McLeod nearly extended Victoria's lead as he charged out of the left wing corner and across the crease with the puck, but was stopped by the extended left leg of Kalemba. On the same shift, McLeod had a second opportunity turned aside by the Thunder netminder, but the rebound popped out to Matt Stefanishion in the slot. The Victoria forward blasted a slap shot that beat Kalemba at 3:52 for his 10th of the campaign. Stockton tried to get on the board after Stefanishion's goal with a 2-on-1 chance, but Salmon Kings' defenseman Jeff Caister broke the play up with a good stick check. The Thunder would net their first goal of the game at 15:10 off Bretton Cameron's 15th goal of the year. Off a rush down the right side, Johan Motin moved the puck across the slot with a slow pass that Cameron wristed past Shantz. Late in the period, Jordan Foreman crashed into David Shantz as the Victoria netminder gloved the puck off a bounce off the back boards. Foreman's hit sparked an on-ice brawl that resulted in six fighting majors. From the play, Victoria had defenseman Derick Martin and Cam Ritchie ejected as Stockton received a 5-on-3 power play for two full minutes and the remainder of the period. The Thunder were unable to count a goal on the advantage in the final seconds as the Salmon Kings held their 3-1 advantage through 40 minutes.

The Salmon Kings opened the third period with only three defensemen as Adam Taylor moved on the back end to assist forward Ryan Dingle who started the game on the blue line as well. One of the three defensemen left for Victoria was Matt Cowie who was in his professional debut. Stockton began the frame still on their 5-on-3 power play for 36 seconds, but took a quick penalty to negate the two man advantage. During the 4-on-4 action, Shantz made two tough saves to keep the Thunder at one goal. The offensive opportunities then picked back up as Milan Gajic and Chad Painchaud were stopped by Kalemba on the same shift. Moments later, Thunder forward Chris Lawrence stole the puck in the neutral zone to move in on a breakaway, but had his shot smothered by Shantz. With 4:29 left in the period, Steve Vanoosten put a shot from the right faceoff circle towards the net that deflected off Fulton's skate past Shantz. Stockton would then pull even on the scoresheet at the 17:41 mark. Motin kicked the puck to his stick in the left faceoff circle and beat a screened Shantz over the left shoulder. The Salmon Kings finished the entertaining period with two shots in the final minute, but could not net the game winner. The contest would head to overtime in a 3-3 tie.

The best chance in the early stages of overtime came off the stick of Cleaver who was stopped in close by Kalemba. The Salmon Kings would be awarded a man advantage for the final 1:19 of the extra frame, which was highlighted by two chances by Painchaud. Neither team could count a goal in overtime as the game went to a shootout for the second straight night. Garet Hunt and Milan Gajic both counted as the second shooters, while the goaltenders then stopped the next six attempts. In the sixth round, Motin was stopped by Shantz while Stefanishion put a wrist shot past Kalemba for the victory. Salmon Kings 4 Thunder 3 SO.

Victoria went 0/5=0.0% on the power play, while Stockton was 0/3=0.0%. The Thunder outshot the Salmon Kings 42-29.

Tickets for the first two home dates in the opening round of the 2011 Kelly Cup Playoffs can be purchased starting this Monday at 10:00 a.m. Fans can purchase playoff tickets in person at the Select Your Tickets Box Office, online at www.selectyourtickets.com, or by phone at 250-220-7777. Victoria's playoff opponent is yet to be determined, with the full first round scheduled to be announced at a later date. Purchased tickets will be available for pickup once all playoff details are confirmed. The Western Conference quarterfinals series is a 2-3 format with the higher seed choosing the first two or final three games at home.

The Salmon Kings finish their road portion of the 2010-11 regular season tomorrow afternoon against the Thunder at 4:00 p.m. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings' hockey, visit www.salmonkings.com. The final home series of the 2010-11 regular season begins next week on Wednesday, March 30th against the Alaska Aces. On Friday April 1st the Salmon Kings are hosting Fan Appreciation Night where end section tickets are available for just $5! Visit For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from March 27, 2011


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