Victoria drops 6-1 decision to the Steelheads in Idaho

January 15, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Boise, ID - In a Saturday night matchup, the Victoria Salmon Kings took on division rival the Idaho Steelheads as they looked for consecutive wins at the Qwest Arena. The Salmon Kings gave the start to St. Louis Blues draft pick Chris Beckford-Tseu, while the Steelheads countered in net with Edmonton, AB native Jase Weslosky.

The Salmon Kings looked to start strong and open the scoring early for the second consecutive night. Just 35 seconds after puck drop, Weslosky attempted to play the puck off a dump in behind his net but it took a funny bounce off the boards and popped out into the left faceoff circle for a waiting Adam Taylor. The newest member of the Victoria squad fired his third goal of the year into the open net as the Idaho goaltender was caught out of position. As Victoria counted the first four shots in the game, the Steelheads evened the score at 9:03. Cody Purves intercepted a pass attempt in front of the Salmon Kings' crease and lifted a backhand shot up and over the glove of Beckford-Tseu. The Idaho forward's sixth tally of the year gave the home side life and led to a man advantage, but the Salmon Kings' penalty kill unit stood tall against the league's top power play to keep the game tied. Both goaltenders turned aside all shots the remainder of the period, as the teams skated into the first intermission knotted at 1-1.

The Steelheads looked for their first lead of the game on an early power play. Kael Mouillierat tried a cross-crease feed but received the puck back on a block from a Victoria defender. Off the lucky bounce, the All-Star forward slid his 17th goal of the season into the open net. Idaho pressed for a two-goal lead on another man advantage, but had their best opportunity denied by Beckford-Tseu. Mouillierat worked behind the net with speed and tried to bury the puck on a wrap-around, but was robbed of his second goal of the game on a great skate save by the Victoria goaltender. Idaho countered two goals in the final half of the period off the sticks of Weston Tardy and Derlago. Tardy fired a point shot past Beckford-Tseu at 11:48, while Derlago converted on a power play marker on a tap in from the top of the Victoria crease. Following the 4-1 goal with six seconds left in the frame, Gord Burnett and Chris Hepp dropped the gloves in a lengthy bout that saw both combatants land punches. Burnett took the decision with late blows before the officiating crew intervened. Idaho took their three-goal lead into the third period.

Victoria pushed to cut into the lead as they had some quality scoring chances in the middle of the third period, but Weslosky was equal to the task on one-time opportunities from Matt Siddall and Rick Cleaver in close. As Victoria looked for a spark after their chances, Salmon Kings' captain Peter Vandermeer and Idaho defender Steve Oleksy went toe-to-toe in the second fight of the evening after they scrummed at the Steelheads' bench. Vandermeer landed early rights and would eventually wrestle Oleksy to the ice. Idaho would extend the lead to 5-1 with their third power play tally of the night at the 12:07 mark. Mouillierat threaded a pass from the left faceoff circle to the right side where Evan Barlow put a shot past Beckford-Tseu for his third goal of the campaign. In the final two minutes of the contest, Tristan King and Aki Seitsonen worked a give-and-go pass play on the rush where they found Olesky at the right side of the net for the final marker of the game. As the clock wound down, tempers flared once again as Purves dropped the gloves with Burnett. Purves gained the early advantage, but the Salmon Kings' blue liner unloaded with five punches on his opponent before the officials broke up the bout. Steelheads 6 Salmon Kings 1.

Victoria went 0/4 = 0.0% on the power play, while Idaho was 3/6 = 50.0%. The shots were even in the contest at 23-23.

Victoria finishes their three game series with Idaho tomorrow at the Qwest Arena with puck drop at 6:10 p.m. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. The Salmon Kings return home to open a three-game set versus the Las Vegas Wranglers on Friday, January 28th. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from January 15, 2011


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