As the Victoria Salmon Kings complete preparations for the series at home with the Idaho Steelheads, their fans are eagerly awaiting to welcome the team back from its Olympic timed California trip. It was a week of dealing with injury woes, fitting in new players, welcoming back a player from injury, and the aftermath of the NHL trade deadline. Winger Bryan Leitch and defender Bobby Davey joined the squad bringing skill and toughness. Dirk Southern returned to the lineup and helped with a goal and two assists. Wes Goldie's two goals in the series gave the captain his 40th of the season. Victory came in the middle (Friday) game where Gary Gladue got his third goal of the season. NHL trade deadline deals involving the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs had a direct effect as the Salmon Kings were about to start the series in Stockton. Flames backup Curtis McIlhenny went to Anaheim and the Leafs sent goalie Vesa Toskala to Calgary. Apparently there would be a delay in Toskala's arrival in Calgary, so the Saddedome based brass called up Matt Keetley to backup Mika Kiprusoff. This necessited the AHL Abbotsford Heat to recall Leland Irving from the Salmon Kings. Glenn Fisher would take over the net for Victoria, with the Salmon Kings thus utilizing the ECHL's "emergency backup" provions as well. An interesting side note is that a study of the ECHL Friday transactions on the league website showed that five teams that night in the ECHL has signed "emergency backups." EIGHT TEAMS, FOUR RACES---as most National Conference teams approach the 60 game mark, the National Conference appears to have split into four battles for position. Alone at the top with 83 points is Idaho, only a total collapse will prevent Idaho from taking first overall and a first round bye. Bakersfield's win over Las Vegas last night put them one point up on Victoria (69 to 68). On March 19 and 20 the Salmon Kings return to Bakersfield in games that could well decide who finishes 2nd overall. Currently Stockton is one up on Alaska (62 to 61) in the fourth and fifth place race. The final race shows Utah, Las Vegas and Ontario tied with 59 points, the last place finisher will not join the post season. BEST OF FIVE---not generally commented upon is that the first round will be a best of five, with the higher finisher having the choice of either starting at home or on the road. In such short series, many leagues have seen surprising upsets. PUCKS PLUS FLY AWAY....Autographed pucks ($10 each), proceeds to the Goals That Give are available at the Booster Club table on the concourse. Be sure to get your raffle tickets for the West Jet draw, prize is 2 flights anywhere WestJet flies valued up to $4600. Draw date is March 13th. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Stop by the booster club table and pick up a puck, raffle tickets and also bid on many items in our silent auction.