Kings Take it to Falcons!

January 5, 2006 The Salmon Kings finished 2005 off in style, taking down league-best Alaska to end their monster unbeaten (in regulation) streak at 16 games. 2006 started off just as nice as 2005 ended. Victoria hosted the Fresno Falcons who were unbeaten since December 4th, and took the victory away with a score of 5-3. That gives the home team a winnings streak of 2-games, their first of the season. Our recently named ECHL All-Star Steve Lingren got the scoring off to an early start as he netted his 12th goal of the year at 6:42 of the first period. Just two minutes later, Lingren got his second of the night and put the home side up 2-0. Lanny Gare and Mike Wirll assisted on both Lingren goals. Later in the first period the Falcons got one back and the first intermission started with the score at 2-1. After outshooting Fresno 14-6 in the first period, the Kings came out a little cold in the second and only managed 4 shots. But Rob McVicar (pictured, credit to G. Woodburn) kept the home team in it kicking out all 10 Fresno shots in the second on route to his fourth win of the season. The third period started bad for Victoria as Fresno tied the score just two minutes into the frame. But they would not be held down and came back four minutes later as lanny Gare picked up his first goal and third point of the night off a rebound from Jade Galbraith's shot. The home team struck again 40 seconds later but the goal was disallowed for an apparent kicking motion by scorer Gare. The crowd had been awakened though with two quick scores and with the chance to boo the ref (always a fan favourite). This spurred the Kings to score just seconds later off the stick of Ryan Wade. The captain now has 5 goals in his last 3 games. But Victoria was not finished there. K.C. Timmons, who has not scored since December 12, picked up the fifth Kings goal. Fresno added one more on the power play with just four minutes left but it was not enough as Victoria played hard till the final whistle. The points totals for the game are a little out of the ordinary as only 8 players recorded a point in the 5 goal game: Lanny Gare: 3 points (1g, 2a) Steve Lingren: 2 points (2g) Ryan Wade: 2 points (1g, 1a) KC Timmons: 2 points (1g, 1a) Mike Wirll: 2 points (2a) Adam Taylor: 2 points (2a) Jade Galbraith: 1 point (1a) Simon Mangos: 1 point (1a) The two teams are back at it tonight at 7:00 PM and again on Saturday night.