There was a real buzz around the concourse and in the concession lineups Saturday night. Was it the happiness of cheap tickets, a desire to be entertained, and the fact that the night before, with a huge win, the Salmon Kings guaranteed themselves a playoff berth? Needing a win on Friday night, and a total team effort this was accomplished. Along with a 5 point night by Matt Siddall and a hat trick by Wes Goldie, the team captain. Final score 9-2 and a playoff berth assured, as to which spot would be determined by the end of season Saturday night ECHL National Conference Schedule. A huge crowd was treated to a new dance routine as Marty and the Marmettes brought smiles to many. The car giveway was suspenseful to watch. Later the Wave went around the rink more often than usual, on the ice, going into the third, Victoria and Utah were tied at two, but the Grizzlies quick strike ability made it 4-2 early in the third. Once the dust had settled on the nights schedule, the Salmon Kings had finished in 7th place, meaning they would meet the 2nd place Bakersfield Condors. Conference leading Idaho Steelheads earned a bye in the opening round. With Ontario eliminated, the other playoff matchups have Utah vs Las Vegas plus Alaska meeting Stockton.

PLAYOFF ROSTERS---each team has submitted its playoff roster pursuant to the rules and bylaws of the ECHL. These rosters are available for viewing on www.echl.com or on the ECHL facebook page.

FEARLESS FORECAST--This blog writer's forecast is that the Salmon Kings take it in five over the Condors, with the total goal difference being no more than three. Two of the games will go into overtime, and the Thursday result will not see a winning goal until 3:17 am Friday morning. Stockton's ability to score a lot at home give the Thunder an edge over Alaska. Playing the role of Ken Dryden in 1969, Utah (eligible as a rookie next season) goalie Mikko Koskinen, the Grizziles quick strike ability, and the presence of league leading goal scorer Ryan Kinaswecih makes them a formidable opponet for Las Vegas. Coming into the playoffs as the last seed, each round the Salmon Kings adavnce, they will meet the top seed. What needs to be remembered is that the first round is a best of five affair, and with the Condors exercising the playoff schedule option to open on the road, fans of the Victoria Salmon Kings will be able to watch Games 1 and 2 live at SOFMC.

PUCKS AND RAFFLES---Visit one of the Booster Club tables and check out the autogrpaphed pucks ($10 each--proceed to the Goals That Gives). Also you can purchase raffle tickets to help our 24 Hour Relay effort. Have a look at the large rink shaped board at our concourse table to see how the goals and goalie wins were tallied for the Goals That Give Campaign. Ask about our Booster Club activites and pick up information should you be interested in joining the Victoria Salmon Kings Booster Club.