The Martlet

The Las Vegas Wranglers saddled up their current two-game win streak and rode into town last Wednesday to face the Salmon Kings. Looking to lasso up wins during the four-game series in Victoria, they outlasted the Victoria Salmon Kings to take the first game by a score of 4-2.

Game two saw the Salmon Kings come out looking to rebound and regain the scoring touch that was abundant during their record-breaking win streak last month, but again came up short.

The Wrangler’s shut-down defence suffocated Victoria’s offence. With only four defensemen in their lineup, Victoria sorely missed having a full-strength squad. Missing players included Dylan Yeo, who had been recalled to the Salmon Kings affiliate the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), and Patrick Coulombe, who is out with a lower-body injury.

“It’s not easy going four deep; it’s a bit of a grind,” said defenseman Matt Kelly of the limited defense. “But we just need to keep battling.”

All four games against Las Vegas were tight one-goal games, despite the Wednesday and Friday night losses by scores of 4-2. Even with the huge crowd of 6,470 fans out for “Pink in the Rink” night (dedicated to breast cancer research) on Saturday, the Salmon Kings were unable end their winning drought and were once again shut down offensively. They lost by a score of 2-1.

The fourth and final meeting between the two teams ended up scoreless after three periods and headed into overtime as neither team could light the lamp in regulation.

Las Vegas defenseman Sean Owens, a Victoria native who played for Peninsula and Racquet Club, had more than 40 family members and friends at the game to cheer him on. Unfortunately for the Salmon Kings, it was Owens who banged home a loose puck and lifted the Wranglers to victory in overtime with 15.3 seconds left.

Victoria goaltender Julien Ellis and his counterpart Kevin Lalande of Las Vegas both recorded shutouts.

“It’s frustrating to have it end this way,” said Ellis after the overtime loss. “We really wanted the win before heading out on the long roadtrip.”

The Salmon Kings’ power-play was nonexistent throughout the series, with only one goal in 23 opportunities, making for an abysmal 4.3 per cent.

“We had some goal scoring chances on the power-play” said Salmon Kings coach Mark Morrison. “I think some should have gone in the net. Maybe we’re a little too pretty on the power-play and a little too much passing.”

The Salmon Kings now head out on a 12-game roadtrip to make way for the Scotties’ national women’s curling championships held at the Memorial Centre.