There was a bit of historical symmetry to last night's ECHL match up featuring teams from the host state and province, respectively, of the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.

The Victoria Salmon Kings even wore their Olympic-themed red third jersey for the occasion and maybe that was good mojo as the Salmon Kings defeated the Utah Grizzlies 3-2 in a shootout before 4,553 fans at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

It was the fourth consecutive game between these clubs -- all three this week in Victoria and the last one at the E Center in Salt Lake City -- that have been decided in shootout.

All four Victoria shooters -- Wes Goldie, Andy Brandt, Mike Hamilton and Chad Painchaud -- scored in the shootout, which in the ECHL is soccer style with five shots.

Three Utah snipers scored in the shootout but rookie Brett Parnham, second in goals last season in the junior OHL with 50 behind only John Tavares, and NHL Florida Panthers-contracted Peter Aston both hit posts to give Victoria the win.

Salmon Kings goaltender Leland Irving, the 2006 Calgary Flames first-round draft pick making his second start at the Memorial Centre since being sent down from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League, was full value for his first star award in making 34 saves in regulation and overtime.

"I'm getting my confidence back and can see improvement every day," said Irving.

"I'm feeling comfortable in the net. I can't worry about all the stuff I can't control [AHL-ECHL assignments and reassignments]. I can only control what I do and I'm working hard and enjoying it." Victoria was down to 14 skaters due to injuries and call-ups to the AHL and in many ways needed to play a more conservative road-type game in its own rink.

The Salmon Kings appeared exhausted at the end but got the result they wanted in going to 27-17-5 overall and 18-2 in their last 20 games at the Memorial Centre.

Islanders-affiliate Utah went to 21-19-6.

Defenceman Jimmy Sharrow's first-period power-play goal held for Victoria until A.J. Perry scored for Utah at 15:02 of the second period.

Lance Galbraith's power play goal for Utah with just seven seconds remaining in the second frame had the potential to be the momentum changer.

But it was Victoria that answered on the power play with captain Wes Goldie's 32nd goal of the season at 2:06 of the third period. It was a significant night for Goldie in other ways, too, as he played in his 265th career game with the Salmon Kings to tie current assistant coach Ryan Wade's franchise record.

The Salmon Kings meet the St. Louis Blues-affiliate Alaska Aces three times next week in a rare Thursday, Saturday, Sunday format set, allowing fans Friday night open to watch the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Following the Alaska set, Salmon Kings fans won't have to miss any nights of this province's big Winter Games moment in the world spotlight as the Salmon Kings spend the next 23 days away from the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in playing eight road games.

cdheensaw@tc.canwest.com