Victoria drops New Year's Eve contest 1-0 in Utah

December 31, 2010 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


West Valley City, UT - In a Friday night New Year's Eve matchup the Victoria Salmon Kings looked to win their third consecutive road game as they took on the Utah Grizzlies in the first of a two-game series at the Maverik Center. Victoria's David Shantz started in net, while Utah gave the nod to J.P. Lamoureux.

Both the Salmon Kings and Grizzlies engaged in a defensively-minded opening period, in which there were few quality scoring chances for either side. Victoria's best chance of the frame came off of the stick of Rick Cleaver, when the Parksville, BC native collected a rebound in the right face-off circle and fired a shot that was turned away by Lamoureux. Utah was awarded two power play opportunities in the period but they were unable to convert the game's opening marker with the extra skater, as the Victoria penalty-killing unit held the league's best man-advantage squad off the board. Shantz stopped all six pucks that came his way, while Lamoureux stopped all four shots he faced, as both teams skated into the intermission in a scoreless tie.

The second period began much like the first, with the Salmon Kings and Grizzlies locked in a defensive-style game. The contest opened up near the middle of the period with back-and-forth play which resulted in scoring chances for both teams. Utah took advantage of the offensive flow and notched the first goal of the game at the 10:22 mark while short-handed. The home side skated into the offensive zone on a 3-on-1 as Marcus Carroll moved the puck down the left wing and dropped a pass back to Chris Donovan who deked Shantz, but was robbed by the Victoria netminder on a gorgeous stick save on the goal line. Matt Clarke followed up the play, and banged home the rebound past Shantz for his fourth marker of the campaign. Lamoureux kept the Salmon Kings at bay in the period with 13 saves as the Grizzlies took their 1-0 lead into the final frame.

Victoria gained momentum at the start of the third period as they controlled the pace of play and forced Lamoureux to make several good saves. Both teams received one power play opportunity in the middle portion of the frame, but neither side could convert on the advantage. Late in the period, the home side received another golden scoring opportunity on a 2-on-1 rush as Donavan cut from the right wing into the slot but the play was broken up by P.J. Atherton who dove in front of the Grizzlies' forward. The Salmon Kings pulled Shantz in the dying minutes of the contest but could not find the equalizer with the extra skater on the ice. Grizzlies 1 Salmon Kings 0.

Victoria went 0/4 = 0.0% on the power play, while Utah was 0/4 = 0.0%. The Grizzlies outshot the Salmon Kings 27-23.

The Salmon Kings finish their two game set with the Utah Grizzlies tomorrow night with puck drop at 6:05 p.m. Victoria begins a five-game home stand on Wednesday January 5th with a three-game set versus the Stockton Thunder. To watch or listen live to Salmon Kings hockey visit www.salmonkings.com. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from December 31, 2010


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