<img src="http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/salmonprospects.jpg" class="imageFloatRightFramed">Lightning struck twice this week at SOFMC, with the Salmon Kings getting early first goals in their last two home games against the Stockton Thunder.

On a power play, Chad Painchaud and Olvier Filion cycled the puck to Jimmy Sharrow who unleased a wicked snap shot from the high slot to open the scoring. With a tribute to the time of the year, after Cliff Lesquene finshed announcing a Chad Painchaud penalty, Tom, the SOFMC music man played "The Mr. Grinch" song.

Coaches sometimes like to remind their players not to give up after you have shot, keep going to the net. Wes Goldie displayed a perfect example of this when he followed up his initial shot, snared a loose rebound, scoring a shorthanded marker (assists to Olivier Filion and Jimmy Sharrow) to make it 2-0 for Victoria.

Thunder Daryl Marcoux sparked an incident that resulted in a skirmish between the two former BCHLers, Victoria's Mike Salekin and Stocktons big Riley Emmerson. Once the dust had settled, Tom the music man chose to play "Why can't we be friends." No one can say he is not whimsical.

With his seventh save of the game, off a particularly hard shot, David Shantz kept the score sheet clean. First period scoring was closed out on another Victoria power play with Patrick Coulombe netting the goal, assists to Dirk Southern and Jimmy Sharrow.

Out shooting the Salmon Kings 9 to 4, the Thunder roared back in the second frame. Seven minutes in, Daryl Marcoux got his team on the board. Less than a minute later, with Stockton's Kelly Cuzy crashing the net, the Thunder attempt faltered. With the Salmon Kings attacking, suddenly David Shantz skated forward then fell in an awkward manner. After attention by the training staff, he was taken to the dressing room for treatment. Thus Glenn Fisher came in relief. After giving up a goal on the first Thunder shot, things seemed shaky as the Thunder assaults were causing defensive coverage breakdowns.

In a play that could have totally shifted momentum in a split second Olivier Latendresse just missed a shot. Then at 16:07 the Salmon Kings perfectly executed an LA Lakers fast break. Chad Painchaud and Tim Wedderburn rapidly advanced the puck to Randall Gelech who finished the play just like Magic Johnson used to do with Jack Nicholson's favourite team.

Early in the third, Judd Blackwater brought his Thunder to be one goal behind.

Former WHL Vancouver Giants agitator Garet Hunt took a high sticking penalty when he struck Jimmy Sharrow in the mouth near the Salmon Kings net. Sharrow had an outstanding first period, a goal and two assists.

Going from the hero to the potential goat, Judd Blackwater was sent off with three minutes left for elbowing Gary Gladue on the end wall in the Victoria zone. Considering the time of the game, it was such a flagrant call, that the referee, Shane Waschaw had not choice but to call it. The Californian weathered the storm and soon had their goalie on the bench. From the face off the puck slid dangerously into the slot, where Olivier Latendresse found himself on the ice making a snow angel as he stopped the puck. Winning the ensuing face off, Olivier Filion flipped the puck deep towards the Thunder zone. Skating towards the puck, with seconds to go, Olivier Latendresse snared it just missed an empty net shot. Final score, a hard fought 4-3 Salmon Kings win, their sixth in a row.

UNSUNG HERO...Tim Wedderburn's quiet yet effecient play. Unflappable, a good work ethic, plays his position soundly and is the kind of player youngsers in minor hockey could learn a lot about by watching Tim Wedderburns play without the puck.

EYE IN THE SKY..Possibly anticpating that Matt Thomas would have his squad ratchet up their aggressive play of Friday night, Coach Morrison opted to dress Mike Salekin. Taylor Ellington would be a spectator, perhaps the coaching staff felt he could learn from observing the series finale. Salekin brough vetern knowledge and played a large role in handling the belligerence of some of the Thunder players.

MARTY SAYS DON'T BE LATE...For the first time Marty the Marmot did not skate onto the ice for the opening. He was in the aisleway of Section 101 above the penalty box. He looked like the very model of a Marmot Santa Clause. Victoria fans can be notorious latecomers. Those that did arrive in this area a little late found themselves looking at a very large mascot who would shake his finger at them for being late, then he would point to his watch to emphasize the point. Ever the showman, Marty never fails to entertain.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all the Salmon Kings players, coaches, staff, all the SOFMC employees and ICM staff, and Booster Club members and their families. A further Merry Christmas to our organizational partners, the Manitoba Moose and the Vancouver Canucks.