VICTORIA 4

ONTARIO 0

The Victoria Salmon Kings’ power play scored three goals. Saturday night. In one game.

What’s next? Bangers and mash for high tea at the Empress? Beach volleyball in February at Whistler in the Winter Games? Talk radio going liberal?

The Salmon Kings came into the ECHL contest against the Ontario Reign, farm team of the Los Angeles Kings, with a league-worst six-for-67 on the power play. That’s a big reason why they also entered the game with only two victories. Make that three following a 4-0 victory. It’s amazing what scoring on the odd man can do for a hockey team as the Salmon Kings converted three-for-seven on the night.

Power-play goals by Andy Brandt, banging away at a rebound at 13:17 of the first period, defenceman Brandon Roach with a ping off the post from the point at 5:55 of the second period, and Scott Howes on an adroit deflection at 14:00 of the second, gave the Salmon Kings a 3-0 lead.

Forward Chad Painchaud, with three assists on the first three goals, and defenceman Jim Sharrow with two, were the players quarterbacking the Victoria power-play revival as the Salmon Kings moved to 3-10.

“There were no secrets to our power play tonight other than hard work,” said Howes.

“Work hard and the chemistry comes. We finally got something going in all aspects of our game. We went the whole 60 minutes and didn’t quit.”

Howes scored his second goal of the game by slamming home the puck, after a strong move to the net by Adam Taylor, to close out scoring at 6:44 of the third period.

The Salmon Kings even won the fight, with Mike Hamilton scoring a decisive decision over Ontario forward Tony Voce.

Calgary Flames prospect Matt Keetley faced only 18 shots to record his second shutout over the three games he has played for Victoria since being assigned by Abbotsford of the AHL. Goaltender Curtis Darling, meanwhile, faced a hailstorm of 51 Victoria shots in goal for Ontario (7-8).

They are not common in hockey in November, but this was pretty much a must-win game for the Salmon Kings.

“Until we get back to .500, we’ve got nothing to lose in a way, and I don’t feel any pressure,” responded Taylor.

In a rarity, the line of Howes, Brandt and Taylor swept the three stars.

“Our record is not the greatest and we need to build on what we did tonight and continue the work ethic we displayed,” said Howes, a graduate of the QMJHL and under AHL contract to the Manitoba Moose.

ICE CHIPS: Attendance was 4,020 yesterday at the Memorial Centre . . . The ECHL average heading into last night was 4,394, virtually tied with the AHL’s 4,439 . . . Racquet Club product Lance Morrison, a former WHL junior and CIS player with UBC, made his Salmon Kings home debut under dad and head coach Mark Morrison . . . The Salmon Kings now hit the road for three games in Boise against the Idaho Steelheads on Wednesday, Friday and next Saturday.

cdheensaw@tc.canwest.com