Victoria takes six of 10 points on five-game road trip after 6-1 loss in Alaska

January 23, 2011 - ECHL (ECHL)
Victoria Salmon Kings News Release


Anchorage, AK - In a Saturday night contest at the Sullivan Arena, the Victoria Salmon Kings looked to win their third straight game as they took on division rival the Alaska Aces. The Salmon Kings gave the nod between the pipes to former Ace Chris Beckford-Tseu, while the Aces started with Tampa Bay Lightning draft pick Gerald Coleman.

The Salmon Kings started the contest with a physical edge as they laid the body on the Aces' players in the opening minutes. Both teams continued the trend from last night with good flow early in the game as they received chances on back-and-forth action. Less than five minutes into the game, Kory Falite collected a bouncing puck in the slot and in stride and let go a quick wrist shot that found its way through a maze of bodies in front and beat Beckford-Tseu's glove for his seventh of the campaign. Alaska would then utilize two power play goals to extend their lead to 3-0. At 9:06, Mark Isherwood ripped a slap shot from the high slot that got past Beckford-Tseu for his seventh of the year, while just under three minutes later Tyler Ruegsegger tipped home his eighth on a point shot by Steve Ward. Alaska would take their 3-0 lead into the second period.

The Salmon Kings poured on the pressure in the middle portion of the second frame as they pinned the Aces in their own zone for nearly two minutes with good puck movement. As the play opened up with end-to-end action, Salmon Kings' captain Peter Vandermeer and Coleman collided just inside the Aces' zone as they chased down a loose puck. The Alaska netminder was quick to recover just in time to deflect away a Ryan Dingle shot. As Victoria's momentum pushed forward, Brian Swanson beat Beckford-Tseu's glove with a shot from the left faceoff circle at 11:36 for his 14th marker of the campaign. Alaska would then extend their advantage to 6-0 on the back of two wraparound goals from Zach Harrison and Wes Goldie. Victoria was unable to get on the board the remainder of the period as Alaska led 6-0 into the second intermission.

David Shantz relieved Beckford-Tseu in the Salmon Kings' net to begin the third period. Victoria would put together strong shifts in the middle of the third period with good puck possession as Coleman was forced to make tough saves in close off the sticks of Ryan Turek and Vandermeer. The Salmon Kings' forecheck continued as Tim Kraus made a nice toe-drag deke on an Alaska defender, but was denied by Coleman on his shot. Victoria's pressure in the frame would pay off at 13:18 on the power play as Matt Siddall stole the puck off the stick of Coleman and buried home his team-leading 18th goal of the season. Siddall's unassisted marker would be the last goal of the game. Aces 6 Salmon Kings 1.

The Salmon Kings now enter the All-Star break with the 2011 ECHL All-Star Classic and Skills Competition taking place on Wednesday, January 26th from the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, CA. Ryan Turek will be part of the ECHL All-Star Team, while Jeff Harris will help to bring all the play-by-play action. To listen or watch live, visit www.echl.com. The Salmon Kings then return home to the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre for a three game set versus the Las Vegas Wranglers on Friday January 28th, Saturday January 29th and Sunday January 30th. The first two game start at 7:05 pm while the Sunday game starts at 1:05 pm. Following the Sunday game the Salmon Kings will be hosting their second skate with the Salmon Kings. For tickets call 250-220-7777 or visit www.selectyourtickets.com.



ECHL Stories from January 23, 2011


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