<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/salmonprospects.jpg" class="imageFloatRightFramed">December 10 to the 19th, nine days with six home games against Las Vegas and Stocton that may see the latter days of 2009 determine the fate of the Salmon Kings in early April 2010.

Having gone winless on the Nevada/Ontario swing, the upcoming pre X-mas schedule means six games against opponents the capital city crew are chasing for one of the two remaining playoff spots. Sundays loss in Ontario means that the Reign have split the season with Victoria, with four victories apiece.

Pacing the way to that 4-3 overtime win was diminutive rookie forward Peter Lenes, who had a goal and two assists, and was well deserving of a game star. Listed on the ECHL and Reign websites as 5'4"-158 (Note www.hockeydb.com has him at 5'6"-160), Lenes is the smallest player in the ECHL National Conference. In 23 games, he has 10 goals and 5 assists (2 goals and 3 assists against Victoria) for the Reign. After a season of Jr A with the USHL Sioux City Musketeers, Peter Lenes returned to his home state to spend four seasons in college hockey with the Vermont Catamounts. When Ontario recently played in Victoria, coach Karl Taylor showed confidence in #4 Lenes by rewarding him with top line play and utilizing him in all possible special teams situations.

Three Island players who may find inspiration in the success of Peter Lenes are the Fitzgerald triplets from Port Alberni, who are 16 year old rookies in the Jr B VIJHL (Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League). Like the Ontario forward, they were all listed at 5'4" but team websites now have them at 5'6". Leo and Myles Fitzgerald suit up for the Parksville based Oceanside Generals where they are pesky, relentless penalty killers. Some VIJHL commentators are calling the pair, "The Twiplets." Brother Gerry is having an outstanding Jr B rookie season with the Peninsula Panthers. His 35 points in 25 games has him ranked 9th in league scoring; his 18 markers have him at 3rd in VIJHL goal scoring. In the season opener, ironcially against Oceanside and his brothers he was the starting centre. Recently the BCHL came calling for the Fitgeralds. Gerry dressed as an AP (Affilate Player) for Salmon Arm when they visited the Victoria Grizzles. This past weekend saw Myles doing AP duty for the Nanaimo Clippers, scoring a goal for the Hub City side. The skills of the Fitzgerald triplets will be on display January 25, 2010, when Esqumalt's Archie Browning Arena host both the Young Guns Game and the annual VIJHL All-Star Game.

Peter Lenes and his success in Ontario can be an inspiration to small players everywhere. Perhaps he is paving the way for a future triple invasion of the ECHL via Port Alberni.

Notes: Watch this spot for a periodic look at aspects of Victoria professinal hockey history and join me on a tour of the ECHL as we focus on one team at a time. For those not on Vancouver Island, my next report will be an overview of the hockey that is played on Canada's most populated Pacific island.