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Victoria loses 3-1 to Stockton; Beckford-Tseu shines in first Kings' appearance

January 8, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - In a Saturday night regular season contest at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, the Victoria Salmon Kings took on the Stockton Thunder in the third and final game of the three game series. Having each won a game in the series, the Salmon Kings were looking for their first series victory over the Thunder since December 2009. Getting the nod in goal for the Salmon Kings was Chris Beckford-Tseu in his Salmon Kings' debut, while the Thunder gave Edmonton Oiler prospect Bryan Pitton the start between the pipes.

From the opening puck drop both teams came out hard and were looking to snatch the series victory. Victoria goaltender Beckford-Tseu looked sharp early on when Thunder forward Garet Hunt was left alone in the slot and tried to go top shelf to no avail. Stockton got on the board at the 5:31 mark of the first when Ryan Constant took a pass from Jason Pitton in the neutral zone. He skated over the blueline and snapped his fourth goal of the season high blocker side over Beckford-Tseu. After killing off a Matt Siddall hooking penalty, the Salmon Kings had a great chance for the equalizer on the power play when Michael Wilson's hard snap shot from the point was re-directed in front by Matt Stefanishion but Pitton stood his ground. Jim McKenzie was close to giving his team a two goal lead shortly after on the penalty kill when he broke free on a partial break but his back hand far side was stopped by the right pad of the Victoria netminder. Playing in his first game as a Salmon King, and first since April 20, 2010, Beckford-Tseu shook off the early rust after the goal by Constant and was sharp the rest of the period stopping a total of 15 shots while Pitton stopped seven. Stockton took the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Matt Stefanishion took an early slashing penalty to start the second frame and Jason Pitton looked to capitalize when he broke through the middle, stick handling past two Salmon King defenders but Beckford-Tseu was there to make the save. Both teams exchanged chances throughout the second as Jason Pitton rang a slap shot off the crossbar at one end and Michael Wilson's shot from the right wing was blocked in front by a sea of bodies at the other. Stockton's Jim McKenzie was stopped point blank in the slot on a glorious chance to take a two goal lead after a 3-on-1 materialized in the neutral zone off a turnover. The Thunder were finally rewarded for their continued pressure as Jarrett Konkle fought off a check behind the net and sent a bouncing puck into the slot and Bretton Cameron snapped his ninth goal of the season just inside the far post. After 40 minutes at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, Stockton led the home town team 2-0.

With their backs against the wall the Salmon Kings came out with intensity playing physical and finishing checks all over the ice. Rick Cleaver started a great scoring opportunity for the home team by beating one defender on the right wing before centering it to Geoff Waugh who beat the goaltender Pitton but couldn't beat the far post. Not long after the ringing had stopped from Waugh's post shot, Cleaver stole a puck in the neutral zone and had Milan Gajic driving to the net on a 2-on-1 before deciding to shoot and once again ringing it off the iron for the second time in as many minutes. The Salmon Kings continued to pepper Pitton with shots throughout the period and Butcher and Gajic also rang shots off the iron much to the dismay of the large crowd at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. With 1:55 remaining in the third period, Head Coach Mark Morrison pulled Beckford-Tseu and the passionate Victoria hockey fans began the ‘Go Kings Go' chant to pump up their team. To the dismay of the crowd, this night would belong to the Thunder as Bretton Cameron would score his second goal of the night into the empty net. Although the game's 3-0 score was out of reach, Salmon Kings defenseman Jeff Caister would give the fans some excitement for the ride home as he scored his second goal of the season by throwing it on net from the half boards and it found its way to the back of the net. Thunder 3 Salmon Kings 1.

Victoria went 0/2=0% on the power play, while Stockton was 0/3=0%. The Thunder outshot the Salmon Kings 39-31.

The Salmon Kings will now host a two game series against the Las Vegas Wranglers on Tuesday January 11th and Wednesday January 12th with puck drop at 7:05 for both those games. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com. Visit www.salmonkings.com for scheduling information and to watch live online broadcasts of every away game.

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