It's all downhill from here

No, we're not talking about the fact that the Grizzlies managed to tie the league-leading Greenville Road Warriors for points in the standings this past weekend and are right up at the top of the ECHL pack. Technically, Greenville still has a game in hand on Utah, which would put the Grizz at second in the league, but we're not going to be that picky when our team is playing as well as they are. Besides, it's confusing, and they're still first in the Western Conference. No, what we are referring to is the fact that the Grizzlies have played exactly half of their regular season games at this point. Their win on the road on Saturday gave them 15 road wins, which tops their entire road win count last season. We're not going to complain about that.

We didn't get a chance to mention last weekend (because we didn't know) that Goaltender of the Week J. P. Lamoureux was recalled on Friday by the Abbotsford Heat. We suppose that's what back-to-back shut outs will get you around here. We'll miss the guy, but we're happy for him. Best of luck in the AHL, Jean-Pierre!

Speaking of moving on, former ECHL coach Peter Laviolette was selected to co-coach one of the teams for the NHL's All-Star Game which will be played January 30th. From the ECHL's website: "Under the All-Star Game selection process, the head coaches of the teams with the highest points percentage in the Eastern and Western Conference through games of Sunday, Jan. 8 earn the right to co-lead one of the All-Star teams." Laviolette is the only former ECHL coach to date to win a Stanley Cup, which he did as the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. The coach of the other All-Star team will be Joel Quenniville of the Chicago Blackhawks by virtue of having won the Stanley Cup last season.

Don't miss Grizzlies Live tomorrow (Tuesday) night at 7:00 pm on 1230 KFAN. They'll be broadcasting from Ruby Tuesday in West Valley City, so drop by and see them in person if you get the chance.

The Grizzlies play Idaho next at the Maverik Center on Wednesday night. (Again? Spuds...)