<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/salmonprospects.jpg" class="imageFloatRightFramed">Deja vu, as Yogi Berra would say, is looking backwards. The Victoria Salmon Kings experienced just that, as on the third consecutive night, the visiting opposition scored first. With Scott Howes in "the sinbin", the Las Vegas Wranglers struck when forward #22 Chris Neiszner closed the deal.

With the crowed eagerly anticipating showering the SOFMC ice surface with Teddy Bears, Olvier Filion, on an assist via Captain Wes Goldie netted a shorthanded marker.

For a brief moment there was a truce, as a few of the Wranglers joined volunteers, staff and players of the Salmon Kings in collecting the, soon to find new homes, Teddy Bears.

In the minuscule span of a minute and nine seconds, the Nevada visitors took a 3-1 lead. At this point, Coach Morrison pulled starting goalie Glenn Fisher in favour of David Shantz.

Late in the second period, an amusing twist saw an apparent tackle of referee Keith Kaval by Victoria defender Jimmy Sharrow. While laying on the ice, Kaval whistled Wranger #9 Mike Madill for slashing.

In the final frame, the Salmon Kings equaled their seasons output for a period with three goals as Andy Brandt, Wes Goldie, and Chad Painchaud all scored to give the home side a 4-3 lead. This 3 goal output was equaled in the third period of a Dec 3rd loss in Las Vegas. In that period they needed 20 shots to gain 3 goals, whereas on Teddy Bear Toss Night eight shots produced 3 goals. Just 37 seconds after Chad Painchaud's go ahead goal, #43 Ned Lukaecevic tied the game.

Olivier Latendresse would delight the Salmon Kings faithful with the overtime winning goal on a solo effort at 1:12 of extra time.

Normally the music master plays "Victoria" as the Salmon Kings victory song. Tonight the King made an appearance, yes Elvis was in the building singing "Viva Las Vegas."

Latest standings have Las Vegas in 8th place, and at 21 points, Victoria and Stockton are tied for 6th spot. Thunder players have scored 63 goals, and allowed 76 while also having 546 total penalty minutes. Coach Morrison's crew have netted 68 markers and allowed the same amount as Stockton, 76. With 373 team penalty minutes, the Salmon Kings are the current "Fair Play" leaders with the lowest team penalty total in the ECHL.

PUCKS and ORNAMENTS...autographed pucks, $10 each (proceeds to the Goals That Gives Charity) are available at the Booster Club table before and between periods at each home game. Player produced Christmas ornaments will be up for silent auction during the Dec 16,18 and 19 Stockton series.

NOTES---Along with the Salmon Kings unveiling their Canadian Crimson jerseys, Saturday afternoon saw the Peninsula Panthers wearing a very unique Christmas jersey in their home match against the Saanich Braves. A black jersery with the word Panthers in red arranged New York Rangers style. Both front and back a snow clad Christmas tree was below the Christmas star, numbers in red topped by white snow. It was minor hockey appreciation day, and at games end some of the youngest members of the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association had the honour of getting a jersery right off a particulars players back. In the game itself, Saanich came from behind to gain a 2-1 shootout victory. The Jr B VIJHL has had an incredible number of one goal games this season. THUNDER CLOUDS...once again, ex Ace and former BCJHL star Matt Robinson scored twice (one on the power play, the other the winning goal) to gain a 5-4 victory in Anchorage. That is two in a row for the Thunder on the Olympic ice surface of Sullivan Arena.