Victoria sparks seven game road streak with blanking of Phoenix

March 21, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Victoria, BC - The Victoria Salmon Kings landed in Arizona for the third time this season in the hopes of unravelling the Roadrunners grasp, having not earned a win from Phoenix in 2005/2006. After a scoreless first period, Victoria grabbed their third win in the last four games, defeating Phoenix 5-0.

Taggart Desmet, in only his fourth pro game, got the nod in the starting line up as Centre for the Salmon Kings. The Salmon Kings had the most scoring opportunities in the first period, out shooting Phoenix 10 to 9, but were held off by Goaltender Zach Sikich.

Forward Jade Galbraith gave the Salmon Kings the 1-0 lead just 49 seconds into the second period. In a two-on-one, Steve Roberts fed the wide open Galbraith in the slot, and he earned his 15th goal of the season.

Exactly five minutes of game time later, team leading scorer Lanny Gare capitalized on a Phoenix turnover and scored a short-handed goal. Seth Leonard picked up the loose puck and glided over the blue line. His slapshot rebounded onto the stick of Gare who posted his 21st goal of the season.

Victoria took a 3-0 lead with 2:06 left in the second, when the Roadrunners could not clear the puck and Leonard beat Sikich on the far side corner of the net with a wrist shot from the right circle.

The Salmon Kings added two more in the final stanza. Steve Roberts tallied his 10th goal of the season with a sneaky wraparound, after Desmet had dug out a rebound along the boards.

After a few scraps and frustration fed penalties from the Roadrunners, Seth Leonard earned his second goal of the night with 2:56 left in the contest. Leonard banked a shot of Sikich from the right side of the net to finish the game at 5-0 for Victoria.

Victoria was 0-5 on the power play and Phoenix was 0-4. Rob McVicar earned the first shut out of the Salmon Kings season and his 11th win, and Sikich was handed his 2nd loss. Victoria out shot Phoenix 39-24.

NOTES:

THE GAME OF "ELEVENS"

Rob McVicar earned his 11th win.

Seth Leonard scored his 11th goal (4th goal in three games).

Victoria earned its 11th road win of the season.

Phoenix set an ECHL record by being shut out for the 11th time this season.

ON ANOTHER NOTE....

Taggart Desmet tallied two assists-earning 8 points in his first 4 professional games.

Jade Galbraith has 9 points (2 goals, 7assists) in the last 5 games.

Victoria heads to Long Beach for a Wednesday night game, then a two game weekend series stop in Stockton followed by a single game in Fresno on Monday, March 27. The Salmon Kings return home briefly before heading to Alaska for a two game series starting March 31, and then play the final two games of the season at home versus Utah on April 7th and 8th.

As part of Fan Appreciation Weekend at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Friday, April 7th and Saturday, April 8th, Season Ticket holders have the opportunity to trade in their unused tickets for a valid ticket. Exchangeable tickets must be from a game that has already occurred, and are subject to availability.

In addition, the Victoria Salmon Kings will revive a fan favourite-the "Shirt off our Backs" promotion.

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 Season tickets for 2006/2007 or Group packages please contact Devin Mazur or Tom Tompkins at 250-220-2610.



ECHL Stories from March 21, 2006


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