| Salmon Kings Update: The Rippling Effect |
 By Salmon Kings Insider: Chester The Salmon Kings salvaged a successful California road trip last weekend, despite the odds stacked against them. A quirky schedule, along with the ripple effect of the injury to Roberto Luongo of the Canucks meant one tough road trip for the Salmon Kings that saw three games in three days, and only backup goaltender Billy Thompson available to start in net. Thompson and the entire Victoria team rose to the occasion and escaped California with two huge road wins. The high flying Falcons (13-7-3) were too much for the Salmon Kings to handle in game one on Friday night and the depleted Victoria team lost 5-2, despite out-shooting Fresno 46-29, and in the process helped extend Fresno’s win streak to 7-games. The Salmon Kings banded together for what may have been their two best team games of the season on Saturday in Bakersfield and Sunday back in Fresno. Saturday night saw a tight fought 3-2 victory over the last place Condors (6-15-5). Sunday afternoon, back in Fresno where the Salmon Kings would have had every excuse in the world had they lost, showed why they are leading the West division, with 7-3 victory over the Falcons—ending Fresno’s 7-game win streak. Victoria broke a 3-3 tie in the middle of the third period and went on a 4-goal rampage led by Marc-Andre Bernier to put the game away, and put an exclamation mark on their hard earned victory, in the process improving Victoria’s record to 17-7-0 who return home this week. Finally, the series all Salmon Kings fans have been waiting for! The Alaska Aces, undoubtedly Victoria’s biggest rival, will come into town for a 3-game set this week on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. The first three of twelve meetings of the season between the two teams will pit the first place Salmon Kings against the second place Aces (14-8-2) who have been slowly creeping up on Victoria’s division lead over the last few weeks and are now only 4 points in arrears. The Salmon Kings will be looking for redemption against the Aces, who eliminated Victoria in the first round of the playoffs last season, and hope to pad their lead over Alaska. Who to watch for this week: After three consecutive starts in three days for Thompson, and the likelihood of Ellis returning to the Salmon Kings this week, look for Thompson to take a rest and Ellis to come out hungry; after all, Ellis was the Salmon Kings’ goalie last season in the playoffs and is looking for revenge. The streaky Bernier, who heated up this week with 3 goals, along with the always hot Ash Goldie and Jordan Krestanovich should provide the bulk of Victoria’s scoring this week. Transactions: Dec. 11 – Goaltender Julien Ellis and forward Milan Gajic were recalled to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. Discuss it "Down On The Farm."                |