By Salmon Kings Insider: Chester
The Salmon Kings get a split in Phoenix.  After three straight overtime victories in Victoria last week, the Salmon Kings met the Roadrunners in Phoenix for a 2-game set this week, which continued where the two teams left off; taking game one to a shootout for the fourth consecutive overtime game between the two teams.

The Salmon Kings however, got there in grand fashion as they rallied to erase a 4-goal third period deficit to tie the game at 4-4, and carried on to get the win in the shootout.  It was the second consecutive third period come-from-behind victory for the Fish.  The Salmon Kings didn’t fare so well in game two however, dropping
3-2 to the Roadrunners in regulation time.  Victoria pushed the Roadrunners all night, out-shooting them 46-21, but a stellar 44-save performance from Phoenix goalie Dave McKee was the difference.

The Salmon Kings, now 15-6-0, remain in first in the West Division, but their 7-point lead from last week over Alaska (12-8-1) has dropped to 5 points, and the surging Utah Grizzlies (11-9-2) sit in third, only 6 points back of Victoria.   Phoenix (8-10-4) remains tied with Idaho (7-8-6) for last place in the division.

Victoria heads off this week for a quirky road trip in California, where they will play three games in three nights.  The Salmon Kings will be in Fresno on Friday for their first meeting of the season against the Falcons (11-6-3), and will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss in Phoenix.  In the second game, Victoria will head to Bakersfield for a game with the struggling Condors (5-13-5), and finally, on Sunday, the Salmon will return to Fresno for second game with the Falcons.  Look for the Salmon Kings to come out strong in the first two games, but I expect fatigue will likely play a role on Sunday where they will be in tough against the a well rested Falcons team.

Who to watch for this week:
-Look for both goaltenders, Ellis and Thompson, to step it up after having struggled last week in Phoenix.
-Milan Gajic and the Goldie brothers combined for just 3 assists in Phoenix; expect all three to come out firing this week.
-The Krestanovich brothers, who combined for 5 points in Phoenix, will continue to climb up the Salmon Kings scoring ladder.

Notes:

-With the shootout victory on Thursday, the Salmon Kings improved their OT and SO record to 7-0 on the season.


Transactions:

Dec. 6 – Salmon Kings trade defensemen Bryan Nathe to Phoenix for future considerations.

Dec. 4 – Victoria re-acquires forward Milan Gajic from Houston of the AHL.

Dec. 4 – Victoria acquires forward Darryl Lloyd from the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League.

Discuss it "Down On The Farm."