Monday News: It snowed in Utah

Captain Jake Gannon was "loaned" to Peoria of the AHL today. No mention why on either team's site.

Our current standing: 2nd in the conference to Las Vegas. We're only 2 points behind, so if Vegas loses tomorrow and the Grizz win at Vegas on Thursday it's tied! Or we might be ahead because we'll have won more games, but have the same number of points. I always get confused on the standings when things like that happen. Either way, Go Grizzlies!

Tomorrow you can listen or attend the "Grizzlies Live" from Chili's.

Here is to planning ahead: the next home game won't be until February 15th, and it's crazy busy hockey after that--4 games in 5 nights. 3 of those games are promotion nights. You can do anything from getting 2 for 1 tickets, donating food, or taking your dog to a hockey game. Do dogs enjoy hockey? All the pooches and their human handlers will be in one area, lucky for those of us not taking a dog and who don't want to worry about any unpleasant surprises. A pleasant surprise would be the Grizz winning all the games!

Random Grizz alum now in the NHL mention (hmm...maybe I need to come up with a better title than that): Andrew MacDonald took a 10 minute misconduct penalty during the New York Islanders' game against the Ottawa Senators February 5, 2011.

Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Ontario Reign

After a nice little All-Star break, the Grizzlies welcome the Reign to the Maverik Center this weekend. We hope they've got their heads all cleared out, and maybe had some good practices, because the Grizzlies are no longer at the top of the Western Conference.

Shocking. Absolutely tear-jerking.

The fall from the top spot was a combination of the Grizzlies having a few not so great games, and Las Vegas really picking it up and winning 7 of their last 10. We know it's not the end of the world, and we're not all that upset - 2nd is still pretty good. But 1st is better than 2nd. Hence the numbering system. We're posting the sign until they're back from 2nd.

Anyway, the Reign are currently in last place in the conference, and have lost 6 of their last 10. So have the Grizzlies. Just an odd little congruency we thought we'd throw in for no particular reason. The Reign, however, are also last place in the league with only 28 points. This is exactly the kind of position that can make a team dangerous because they have nothing to lose. Sitting back and trying to hold their spot makes no sense, so they may as well go all-out and see what happens. Utah is going to want to keep this in mind, as sitting back is probably not their best option at this point either. There is still a lot of hockey to be played between now and April, and anything could happen. Oh, and keep an eye out for Ontario's lone All-Star representative, Aaron Lewadniuk - we hear he's got a great shot. Plus we really liked this feature on him.


According to Adrian Denny's game day blog, the Grizzlies should have their All-Star Captain (that has a nice ring to it), Jake Gannon, in the lineup tonight. It will be good to see him back on the ice here in Utah - we've missed him. We'll also see the two new guys - Brandon Milnamow and Maxime Tanguay. We're looking forward to seeing how they fit in. No updates on Andrew Engelage, which is maybe good news. We hope to see him uninjured and back in the net. The rest of the cast should be ready to play as well, and we're looking for them to rebound after some disappointing games last week. If you haven't yet read the article from Kyle Goon of the Salt Lake Tribune (no, we didn't make that up), check it out. Great article, and it really shows how these guys want to win together. A few little setbacks aren't going to cloud their overall goal - to win a championship.

With Friday being a "Pack the House Night" where all tickets are $5 with a Maverik receipt, we expect a great crowd to cheer the team on and start this weekend right. If you haven't got your tickets already, you'll want to hurry - they've gone fast in the past.

Games in town Friday, Saturday and Monday. Come see the Grizzlies claw their way back up to the top.

Tanguay for Ruegsegger

Tyler Ruegsegger has been traded to Alaska for Maxime Tanguay.

Not much of an opinion on this one even though we liked Tyler. He had a lot of talent, which meshed with the team dynamic the Grizzlies were trying to create. But we always got the sense while watching him play that he needed about another year of development in this league before his talent and consistancy matched up. He seems like he's just on the cusp of breaking out continually, so maybe he can find his legs in Alaska. We wouldn't be surprised to see him start producing like he does here as we've certainly seen glimpses of it through the season -



We can't remember much about Tanguay in the games Utah's played against him, but here's what his stat sheet says: he plays center and has 15 points (4g, 11a) in 27 games. Ruegsegger isn't too far off from that in the numbers department with 14 points (7g, 7a) in 35 games. However, it's Tanguay's second year in the ECHL, having spent last season in Toledo and with 5 games in the AHL. Looks like a decent trade; it just depends on what Colley can do with Tanguay and how quickly Maxime can adapt to the Grizzlies team.

Best of luck to Tyler in Alaska!


Also of note, Jake Gannon was named as an alternate for the All-Star Game, which is coming up this Wednesday. It sounds like we'll be able to watch or listen to the All-Star Game here in Utah, too. Not bad.

Game Day: Las Vegas Wranglers

Las Vegas tonight.

The Grizzlies haven't had the best of luck on home ice so far this season and with Vegas sitting at the top of the Western Conference, Utah will have their work cut out for them. However, midweek games seem to be successful for the boys as Adrian reported in his blog that the Grizzlies are 3-0 on Wednesdays so far this season.

Were not sure if Michael Ouzas is slated to be in net tonight, but we've got our fingers crossed that he's not as Ouzas is currently sitting at first in GAA with a 1.88. Add to that mix Vegas has the reigning ECHL Player of the Week in captain Tyler Mosienko, who scored 5 goals and tallied 3 assists last week, and the Grizzlies had better be on their toes tonight.

If Utah can score early and clean up their defense, they should have better luck against the Wranglers, who are 12-0-0 when leading after two periods if we go by stats alone. Tim Crowder is definitely the man to help the boys out with this, as he leads the Grizzlies in scoring against Las Vegas with 5 points (3g, 2a).

Jake Gannon is on the IR, unfortunately, as he's been essential on defense this season. But Utah has gotten used to playing without their captain during his periodic stints in the AHL, so we hope to see this trend continue.

Puck drops tonight at 7:05pm.
Let's go, boys.

Trolling for news

Dear Jake Gannon,
Get better soon!
Cheers!
GrizzBlogWhat is more random that a bag full of chickens? 2 top NHL players and an "old" NHL-er appearing on the Price is Right. Yes, that's right, folks, on Monday, December 20 you can see Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, and Jeremy Roenick introduce some prizes. Guess what the prizes are related to? If you guessed the upcoming Winter Classic you'd be right. At least partially. Plus a car and few other things. Like a trip to the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Does that mean the final game or the final series? How would they know if game 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 would be THE final? Do you get to attend all?

It's probably too late to get on that episode.

Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Ontario Reign and Stockton Thunder

The Grizzlies are hitting the road again this weekend, and maybe it's a good thing. They can't seem to win anything at the Maverik Center, and last week's 1 of 6 points homestand did nothing for keeping them on top of the conference. They're currently sitting in second place in the Mountain Division, one point behind Idaho. Funny how once you get to that top spot, nothing else is good enough.

Anyway, not that we don't love our team, but the long distance relationship seems to be working out better for now. We have every confidence that things will turn around for the Grizzlies at home in the future. We just don't know how far in the future. We're hoping sometime this season.

The first stop on the map is Ontario, with whom the Grizzlies have a bone to pick after last weekend. Or at least in our mind they do. WE have a bone to pick with them for spoiling our home games, but we're kind of irrelevant in the hockey world.

We kind of wanted to say the Reign were on an upswing after they beat the Grizzlies twice (okay, once in overtime) last weekend, but then they went and got a butt whipping from Las Vegas on Wednesday, so there's really no excuse. Well, except that the Maverik Center is cursed, but we're not particularly superstitious so that's just silly. (Anyone know a good witch doctor? Preferably someone good at removing hexes. Email us.) All that aside, the record says the Reign have been struggling. They're lurking at the bottom of the Western Conference with 17 points (the Grizzlies have 26), which doesn't put them out of the running at all playoff-wise, but they're going to need a good ladder to start climbing out of the hole. Still, there's a lot of hockey to be played yet this season, and this could be the game they take the initiative to start climbing. Utah will have to be at the top of that ladder with a hose, making sure they don't get too close. That means not letting their guard down for a minute, even though Ontario doesn't look like the toughest opponent on paper. Last weekend - perfect example. (We just wanted to add another set of parenthesis to this paragraph.)

Stockton, on the other hand, currently has the same number of points in the standings as Utah. They just finished a sweep of three games against Victoria last week and have won 5 of their last 10 games. They play Bakersfield on Friday night before meeting up with Utah, and are in somewhat of the same situation the Grizzlies are - trying to pass up Idaho. With the top 3 in the conference being so close, any of them could end up on top by Monday. The battle is heating up already and it's only December. We like that.

According to the AHL transaction report from yesterday, Jake Gannon was released from his PTO in Peoria. According to Adrian Denny's game day blog, the Grizzlies captain will be back in the line up tonight in Ontario. Having their captain back can only be good for the team. His experience can help them in situations where they may otherwise lose focus or intensity. Gannon has always been a hard worker and a good leader. Now we'll get to see where he can take the team. Also from Denny's blog, it looks like J. P. Lamoureux will be in the net for Utah tonight to start the weekend.

Tonight's game against Ontario starts at 8:00 pm MST and can be heard on 1230 KFAN on your AM dial. Tomorrow's game in Stockton starts at 8:30 pm. We're all about the away games these days.

The Life of Riley

We're very happy to report the Grizzlies picked up 3 out of 4 possible points in the standings this weekend against the Las Vegas Wranglers. This moves them up to second in their division with 12 points, right behind Alaska who has 14.

The Grizzlies did this without their captain, Jake Gannon, who was loaned to Peoria of the AHL on Friday and left early that morning. We'll definitely miss him, but as always, we wish him the best of luck with the Rivermen.

Joining the Grizzlies this weekend was Riley Armstrong, which we were very excited about. Seriously, two of us were at an NHL game in Phoenix when we got the news, and we probably cheered over that louder than we cheered for the previous goal. Those of you who followed us last year may remember us being fans of Armstrong when he was with Abbotsford, and we're very happy to have him here in Utah. Now we actually have a reason to follow him on twitter.

In other Riley news, Riley Emmerson has been placed on 3-day IR as of November 6th. No news on whether or not he'll be in the line-up for Wednesday's game at Bakersfield. Check out the Grizzlies' official website for more information on the last leg of the road trip.

Pink in the Rink 2010-11 Jersey Auction

Another Pink in the Rink game, another pink jersey auction.

The Utah Grizzlies website reported that "Nearly $12,000 was raised to fight breast cancer following the team’s live post-game pink jersey auction." Nicely done, boys.

Auction Photos -

Captain Gannon is first up.



The other boys mill around waiting for their turn on the auction block.



Tim Crowder and Brad Stensinger hang out in the back.



Paul Crowder up for auction.



More milling about - Carpentier is up next.



Tim Crowder waits for his picture with a fan.



We also tried to get a clear shot of Brock heckling the bidders, but to no avail. And no classic GQ shots like we captured of Captain Kinasewich last year, but still some fun pictures.

Post Game: Grizzlies 6, Condors 4

No pink ice this year. I guess they got Bourne's memo.

Yesterday Coach Colley called out his power play team point blank, stating they needed to do a better job. Going 0/4 on the power play last night in a 5-0 game seemed completely unacceptable, but the boys made up for it tonight scoring 4 straight power play goals to give themselves a 3 goal lead over the Condors. With Jackman's two goals leading the way, the Grizzlies' power play came together picking up the loose pucks in front of the net and finally beating the goaltender. We'd definitely been waiting for this.

As happy as we were about the power play, the loss of a 3 goal lead by the end of the 2nd was a big disappointment. Really, guys? But instead of the dismal 3rd we were used to seeing in 2009-2010, the boys put in the effort and managed to regain the lead. As Colley saw it, the boys "stuck with it, got back to our game plan, and Hugo got a big goal." And the cherry on top was definitely Gannon's empty netter off of the glass and into the net. Highlight reel, anyone?

Parnham's hand - anyone see what happened? We noticed he was checking guys 3 times his size and was flying around the rink all over the puck, but missed the actual injury. All we know is that he was out by the midway point of the 1st.

Stars of the Game -

1. UTA - R. Jackman
2. UTA - H. Carpentier
3. UTA - B. Snetsinger


Game Photos -



Links -
post game || Grizzlies Score Late To Beat Bakersfield 6-4
gamesheet || Bakersfield at Utah - 10/23/10
game highlights || Game Highlights 10/23/10 vs Bakersfield Condors
interview || Kevin Colley 10/23/10 post game
photos || 10/23/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Bakersfield Condors

Post Game: Condors 5, Grizzlies 0

Well, no way to sugar coat it. This is not how we pictured the home opener. While the effort was there as demonstrated by the shot count, the talk of the night was the shots against vs goals allowed. As Colley called it in his post game, a couple of lucky bounces and a couple of minor breakdowns and the Grizzlies were down 4 goals.

And while we definitely missed the trademark Kinasewich slapper from the circle, we were much more impressed with the overall team effort. Since we bitched all last season about playing a full 60, it was more than a relief to see Gannon and the boys playing until the bitter end. Again, from Colley: "We can't be looking at the scoreboard and feeling sorry for ourselves that we're down 2-nil. We have to go to work." This has been Colley's message for the past few years and we feel like this season the Grizzlies have a team that can accomplish this.

And JP . . . Hey, buddy - it could be worse.


Stars of the Game -
Yeah . . . we're not posting these today (for Joni's sanity).

Game Photos -



Links -

post game || Condors Spoil Opening Night in Utah
gamesheet || Bakersfield at Utah - 10/22/10
interview || Kevin Colley 10/22/10 post game
photos || 10/22/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Bakersfield Condors

Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads

Well, not much to preview here. The Grizzlies face Idaho Friday night for the chance to play again on Saturday. This is game four of a seven game series in which the Grizz are down 3-0. No team in the ECHL has ever come back to win a series after being down 3-0.

Someone's got to do it eventually - may as well be the Grizzlies.

After watching this team all season long, we know a few things about them, not the least of which is that they can be really frustrating. But we also know they can really play hockey when they put their minds to it.

They can beat the Idaho Steelheads.

Jake Gannon will be back from Bridgeport and in the lineup for Friday's game. We're excited to see him back. In the one playoff game he's played with Utah, he had two assists, four shots on goal, and was a +2. No doubt the Grizzlies can use that kind of play if they're going to do this thing. They could probably also use a good, swift kick in the pants, but we're not going there.

The bottom line is that whether or not the season ends Friday, Saturday, or anytime after that is really up to the team. We believe in them, and we believe that they'll play the way we know they can. We believe they can beat the Steelheads. Four times, even.

Game 4 Friday at the E Center. Start time is 7:05 pm. Game 5 Saturday, same time, same place.

We'll be there.

Game 5: Grizzlies 5, Wranglers 1

The Grizzlies needed this win to advance, and they deserved every moment of their victory. 12 more wins to the Cup, indeed!

Utah started the scoring 7:36 into the 1st with a goal from Captain Kinasewich. They never looked back. In the 2nd, The Grizzlies tacked on 3 goals in a 2 1/2 minute time span to increase their lead over the Wranglers, 4-0.

James Sixsmith picked up a goal 6:50 into the 3rd, and Las Vegas grabbed their first and only goal of the night on the power play to end the game 5-1 in the Grizzlies favor.

From the official post game:

The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Las Vegas Wranglers 5-1 Tuesday night at the E-Center to win the best-of-five quarterfinal series three games to two. Utah advances to the second round where they will face the Idaho Steelheads in a best-of-seven series that will begin Friday in Boise. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Grizzlies Advance With 5-1 Win Over Las Vegas
highlights || Game Highlights 4/13/10 vs Las Vegas
gamesheet || Las Vegas at Utah - 4/13/10
photos || 4/13/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers
interview || Kevin Colley 4/13/10 post game
interview || Justin Suda 4/13/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Photo of the Game:

2nd period - Ryan Kinasewich congratulates his teammates on their goal.

Additional Photos: [Flickr]



Video: [YouTube]

Lance Galbraith vs John Schwartz:




Scoring Summary:

UTA R. Kinasewich (4), 7:36 1st period (Perry, Suda); Grizzlies 1, Wranglers 0
UTA A. Perry (2), 2:57 2nd period (Gannon, Suda); Grizzlies 2, Wranglers 0
UTA T. Crowder (4), 3:11 2nd period (Gannon, Galbraith); Grizzlies 3, Wranglers 0
UTA R. Kinasewich (5), 5:05 2nd period (Sixsmith, Perry); Grizzlies 4, Wranglers 0
UTA J. Sixsmith (2), 6:50 3rd period (Perry, Crowder); Grizzlies 5, Wranglers 0
LV M. Lawrence (1), 8:45 3rd period (Krischuk, Pollastrone); Grizzlies 5, Wranglers 1


What Worked Well: You name it
Too much worked well in this game to single out anything in particular. Defense was kick ass, goaltending was beyond steller, offense pushed it to the limit, special teams were on the ball, and the boys stuck up for each other. Ah, the fights. Overall, a game of epic proportions.

What Could Have Worked Better: Pfft . . .
Not even gonna bother with this one today.

Who Made the Difference: Jake Gannon
All of the boys worked their guts out this game and we definitely want to give special attention to AJ Perry for his work on 4 of the 5 Grizzlies' goals and Mikko Koskinen for his astounding 38 saves. But Jake Gannon really set the tone for the team in the 1st by putting the pressure on the Wranglers and not letting up. And that made all the difference in the world. Nicely done.


Stars of the Game:

1. UTA - A. Perry
2. UTA - M. Koskinen
3. UTA - R. Kinasewich


Additional Notes:

> Six Grizzlies had multiple point games: Ryan Kinasewich (2g), AJ Perry (1g, 3a), Tim Crowder (1g, 1a), James Sixsmith (1g, 1a), Jake Gannon (2a), and Justin Suda (2a).
> Mikko Koskinen stopped 38 of 39 for the win.
> Matt Clarke led the team with 6 SOG. Sixsmith and Kinasewich tied for second with 5 SOG a piece.

When the hell did Utah trade Mark Pavli?

Mark Pavli was traded to the Stockton Thunder on Thursday. WTF?

So, we've had it driven into our skulls all season that the ECHL is a developmental league and trades happen. That's fine; we expect that. However, it seems that the only things developing on the Grizzlies' end are Colley's skills as a Wall Street day trader.

Think about it. Stoflet getting traded for Prokop who was traded for future considerations, Shea Guthrie traded to Florida for rights to an AHL player. Jason Dale was due to higher powers, but really . . . We follow this team religiously, consistantly, daily, but we don't even recognize most of the roster anymore.

Hell, we'll admit it. We're biased. We liked Pavli a lot. It was nice to see someone playing their guts out during every shift over that last slump when over half the team couldn't be bothered to show up. We won't claim he was the best player or having the greatest season, but every time Pavli was on the roster, we knew we'd have something to watch. He stuck up for his teammates, played a gritty, hard game, and seemed incredibly easy-going with fan interactions. It would be an understatement to say that he has been a fan favorite during his time here in Utah. And while we understand that a team can't be based around fan expectations (see Calgary, Theo Fleury), the fans should be able to expect some balance from their hockey club.

Yes, we are in a developmental league; we're feed for the farm teams. But in our opinion, the organization also has a responsibility to make their own playoffs, compete for the Kelly Cup, and allow the community to identify with their home team. How can we possibly identify with our team if, as dedicated fans, we have no idea who's stepping onto the ice to represent said team?

Just from the rumor mill, it sounds like this was a hard trade to make for everyone involved and was necessary due to the influx of contract players from the higher leagues. It still pretty much ruined our day.

Luck, Pavli!


Other Transactions:

Defenseman Peter Aston was assigned to Utah by the Florida Panthers last week. In his debut with the Grizzlies on 1/22/10 at the E Center, he tallied two assists for a multipoint night. So far, so good for the blueliner.

Jake Gannon and James Sixsmith have been called up to the AHL. Gannon will join the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and Sixsmith has been loaned to the Milwaukee Admirals. Luck, Gannon and Sixsmith!

Dylan Hunter returned to the ice on the 23rd against Ontario and proved once again how essential he is to the team. Hunter picked up two assists in his first game back.

The Grizzlies have signed defenseman Chris Allen to a contract. Allen has been playing with the EIHL in the UK this past season, but has a strong background in the NHL, AHL, and ECHL. He will also add some height to the team average, standing tall at 6'3". Nice.


**note: Sorry for the lack of updates; life hasn't been kind.

Utah Grizzlies vs Bakersfield Condors Post Game 12/19/09

By now the entire hockey world heard about Condor goalie Pielmeier's empty netter. Which, if we're going to be honest, was pretty damn amazing.

Unfortunately, what will be overlooked is the incredible physical presence that the Grizzlies brought to the ice in the 3rd period. It seemed to be sparked by the 2nd Kinasewich goal, then fueled by his ejection from the game. The boys dominated the Condors throughout the 3rd, and even though they still came up with a loss, they showed the variety of play we'd like to see consistantly. The Condors had been playing a very different team up to that 3rd period; they didn't know exactly what to do once they had a real game on their hands. When Clarke Phaneufs some guy at the blueline and looks happy about it - game on!

We're taking that 3rd period as a sign that there are some happy wins around the corner. Snatch had 2 goals before being ejected, and Maxwell had 3 assists which is a new career high for the blueliner.

Read the official post game at the Utah Grizzlies' site, the gamesheet at the ECHL site, and our post game can be read below.

Pregame Warmups:

When we hadn't yet realized we'd left the memory card at home.

Perry and Romano.

Beljo takes a shot.

FIRST PERIOD

There were definitively less penalties this game as opposed to last game.

However, May opens it up on the first power play with a goal. 1-0.

Assists to Gannon and Carpentier on that.

We forgot a memory card for the camera.

So, we actually got to watch the game.

But without pictures, it's hard to remember exactly how things went down . . .

Grizzlies got another power play, but couldn't do anything with it.

Condors tie it up.

Boo.

Prokop gets a delay of game.

Maxwell takes a tour for hooking.

Killed.

Parker makes the save.

End of first. 1-1.

SECOND PERIOD

Penalties increase in this period.

Overall, a sad period for Utah.

Condors score twice. 3-1.

Snatch picks up a power play goal. 3-2.

Maxwell picks up a point for the assist.

Fisticuffs!

Captain Kinasewich waits for penalties to be assessed.

Brooks and Condors Stoflet and Weller get roughing.

Hugo gets boarding. 5 minutes.

Later, Snatch goes to the box for slashing.

5-on-3.

Bakersfield scores. 4-2.

Bakersfield gets a penalty.

Grizzlies will start the 3rd with a shortened power play.

End of second. 4-2, Condors.

THIRD PERIOD

Snatch scores 0:21 in to the 3rd on the power play. 4-3.

Points to Maxwell and Vlady on the assists.

Pavli goes to the box for roughing.

Bakersfield capitalizes. 5-3.

Gannon gets a minor for holding.

Kinasewich mouths off and gets himself Unsportsmanlike conduct, Misconduct, and Game misconduct - Abuse of officials.

We can't even remember the whole goal situation that led to this.

Bye, Snatch.

See what happens when you don't remeber your SD card. :(

Anyway, the Grizzlies come off of that goal/penalty fallout turbo-charged.

They are skating circles around the Condors, who start to pick up some penalties.

Some of Utah's hits are amazing.

Bakersfield wasn't expecting that . . .

Perry capitalizes on one of the Condors' penalties. 5-4.

Assists to Romano and Maxwell on that.

Maxwell's third assist of the night.

Utah dominates the rest of the period.

Throwing hits, controlling the puck, et al.

14 SOG compared to 3 of the 2nd period.

Peilmeier gets his empty netter.

Game.

6-4, Condors.

Stars of the Game:

2. Ryan Kinasewich

3. Tim Maxwell

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers Post Game 11/12/09

Sadly, we figured this was coming. But hopefully, Colley can turn it around again like they did with Idaho last weekend.

We actually took notes during the game this time, but our rather fiesty pet decided to unplug the computer before we could save the document. (Yes, we realize that we are fools for not saving throughout the game). And since the Grizzlies didn't make it to the scoreboard, the gamesheet doesn't tell us much. But what we have is below.

The official post game is up at UtahGrizzlies.com for something a bit more comprehensive. Also, check out the ECHL gamesheet online.


FIRST PERIOD

We missed the first Vegas goal due to technical difficulties with the B2 Network.
Apparently, it was just 50 seconds into the game.
1-0, Vegas.

If that wasn't a preview of how the rest of this would go down, we don't know what would be.

There was a double high sticking penalty on Vegas.
4 minutes in the box for some Wranglers joke.
Our feed started in the middle of that.

We heard Perry shed blood.

Grizzlies can't capitalize.

And just out of the box, Vegas scores again.
Sloppy goal, but it counts.
2-0, Vegas.

There were some other Vegas penalties.
Grizzlies can't capitalize.

We actually had some really great notes.
But now we're pissed that they're gone.
And we can't remember anything else that happened in this period.

End of first. 2-0, Vegas.


First Intermission: Haggin goes one-on-one with Gannon. The interview is at the Grizzlies podcast center. It sounds like a lot of the boys are gamers . . .


SECOND PERIOD

Boys go on the power play early in the first.
Nothing.

Kotsy has a mini-fight and goes to the box.
We think if he'd gotten in an additional fight later, it would have changed the momentum again.

Some stuff from the 2nd:
We know that we commented on Vlady's awesome checks.
We know that we applauded Kinasewich's clear after he was knocked down.
We know that both Perry and Caria were stealthy.

But we can't remember when any of this happened.
Just that it did.

Late in the 2nd, Caria picked up a penalty for holding.
Sixsmith joined him 30 seconds later for boarding.
5-on-3. Killed dead.

Kotsy gets a penalty for roughing.
Whatevs.
Killed.

There was a lot of really rough and scrappy hockey played at the end of the second.
It was awesome to watch.

Parker made some pretty glove saves.

But about this time, we're just wishing for one goal.
Not even the win.
Just one goal.
Please?

However, we don't think we're going to see it.
Ouzas and the Wranglers are pretty much on fire.

End of second. 2-0, Vegas.


Second Intermission: We didn't really listen to the recap. We opted to watch Camera Ready and other crap on YouTube.


THIRD PERIOD

Grizzlies get an early power play opportunity.
Nope.

It's cut short when Shea picks up a penalty for hooking.
Killed.

We love our boys, but we're kind of starting to lose interest . . .

Grizzlies have another power play opportunity.
Nothing.

Vegas gets another goal.

Grizzlies get another power play.
Nada.

Defense is doing an amazing job of breaking up rushes, plays, and anything that comes their way.
More scrappy hockey.

Vegas empty netter.

Game.
4-0, Vegas.


We had no stars of the game.
So, who cares about the stars of the game.
Not us.


NOTES

Well, we just have this to say, boys:

u play liek toal n00bs. (Gaming joke - sorry, had to throw that in there.)

Just kidding. We're still behind you, Grizzlies.

The boys had their good moments and bad. We're not too troubled by it - every team has their wins and losses. And we're far from jumping off of the Grizzlies bandwagon and dying from dysentery on the Oregon trail.

Colley and Curcio have shown us that they can turn the team around from a bad loss in short order. And honestly, we don't even feel like this was a BAD loss. It just seems like they boys couldn't get any good bounces. More a frustrating loss than anything.

The Grizzlies have another chance tomorrow to take care of business.

So, let's get it done.

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers Post Game 11/10/09

Grizzlies win.

We honestly don't have much to follow that. The game was somewhat calm, steady, and consistant. Just strong, good hockey from both teams with a solid win for our boys. This is what we like to see.

And for a change of pace, it was characterized by a LACK of penalties. 5 penalties in total through the game as opposed to 29 penalties last Friday.

Also different, Kinasewich didn't make it to the scoreboard tonight. But both Perry and Sixsmith picked up multipoint games.

The official Utah Grizzlies postgame is up; the ECHL gamesheet is as well. Ours is below.


FIRST PERIOD

Both teams come out swift and solid.
Grizzlies are playing more aggressively than Vegas.
But Vegas is keeping pace.

Good steady plays, shots, and saves by both teams.

Then late in the 1st, Perry scores on the rebound.
Ouzas lays on his face in shame.
We cackle like little girls.
Points to May and Sixsmith on the assists.

Shea shows off his mad puck handling skills as he keeps it away from Vegas.

Ouzas is on fire.
He makes at least 3 crazy saves before he holds on to the puck.

There have been no penalties.
Weird.

Yo comments that Orpik should be a pest.
But we like to call him Penny Candy.
His brother scares us too much to call him a pest.


End of first. 1-0, Grizzlies.

First Intermission: Haggin goes one-on-one with Matt Caria. It will be up at the Utah Grizzlies' podcast center for your listening pleasure.

We realize that you can't pick up the 1230 AM in Highland or Alpine. Bummer.

Yay for the internet.

SECOND PERIOD

Leave it to Kinasewich to get the first penalty.
He seems to be in the box almost every game this season.
We don't remember him doing that the last couple of seasons.
But we think we like it.

Penalty killed.

Then, the Grizzlies go on the power play.
Some Vegas joke gets 4 minutes of high sticking penalties.
What the crap WAS he doing with the stick?
We missed it.

Four minutes.
But the boys can't do anything with it.

However, we must say that they looked amazing.
A lot of movement in the zone.
Nice set ups.

But Shea gets a penalty for hooking, and shortens up the power play.
Boo.

Kinasewich gets a couple of nice shots off.
One really nice shorthanded chance.
But nothing.
Penalty killed.

Then, a ref knocks the puck back over the blue line and calls offside on May.
What the hell?
Jerk.

Late in the 2nd, Penny Candy scores.
Tied, 1-1.

But 2:31 after, Dale sends one in. 2-1.
His 2nd of the season.
Perry gets points for that assist.
His 2nd point of the game.

Vlady's been throwing these awesome checks all night
He totally squashes some Vegas punk against the boards.
We love it.

End of second. 2-1, Grizzlies.

Second Intermission: Um . . . we did laundry. Yo talked about how the boys' families came down to Vegas for the games. Very cool.


THIRD PERIOD

There are some awesome O'Keefe saves in the first of this period.
Which results in a pushing match in front of the net.
No fight, though.

The video was freezing on our feed, so we decided to restart the browser.
Mistake.

Maxwell sends one in while we're pulling up the feed.
3-1.
Points to Bartley and Sixsmith.

Vegas has definitely picked up their speed.
They've decided to play a physical game late in the contest.

But the Grizzlies defense kicks butt.
They make an awesome save while O'Keefe is down.
Blocking any entrance to the net.
Then playing it down the ice.
Solid.

Boys seem to be making plays out of clearing, then chasing it down for an opportunity.
Awesome.

Then, Shea gets a tripping minor.
Vegas capitalizes.
Guthrie does the skate of shame.

The score just tightened up.
Crap.

Things are getting heated.
Semi-fisticuffs.
Some Vegas joke knocks down Caria in front of the net.
Seriously, 3-on-Caria
The joke even gets a few cheap shots in.
And some sucker jabs.
But the refs break it up before Caria can respond.

Can you blame them -
Who wants to clean blood off the ice?

CRAZY MAD final 2 minutes.
Both teams fighting with everything they've got.
Grizzlies can't clear it.
Vegas presses their attack.

If Joni was watching, she'd have a stroke. Or five.

Time runs out on Vegas.
Whew!

Game.
3-2, Grizzlies.

Stars of the Game:
1. Perry - that's all we care about


NOTES

Not really much to say. Clean, consistant hockey. A good win, and a solid defense at the end of the 3rd when the Grizzlies tend to give it up.

We rematch with these guys in a two days.
Let's do it again, boys!

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads Post Game: 11-7-09

Regrettably, we didn't get a chance to see much of this amazing shut out due to family obligations. However, the extraordinary Alyssa took crazy mad notes for us starting at the 1st intermission which we will post below.

Seriously, the notes are incredible. She took them like she would her notes for law school, so . . .

We only corrected or added player names where she missed them, and then added our own notes where we felt like it. (We did see part of the 3rd).

Idaho has a few video highlights up at their site: 2 of the Utah goals and the Sixsmith fight that Rome got suspended for. And of course some amazing saves from O'Keefe.

The official Utah Grizzlies post game is up at their site. Here's a link to the ECHL gamesheet. And Alyssa's notes are below.


FIRST PERIOD

5:44 onward

First Intermission: (recap)
Score 1-0, first to draw blood
Period Review---
Utah Leading 1-0 (1-2 on the power play)
Ryan Kinasewich - 29 seconds, powerplay of the night - ECHL Leading scorer
Dylan Hunter with assist.

Shorthanded 5-3 in the next 19 seconds—last time 2006


SECOND PERIOD

1. 19 seconds with 2 man disadvantage
      a. Perry with tripping
2. Steelheads get it to begin with---offsides, offsides again.
      a. Looking awkward
3. Taken and cleared
4. 5 on 5 after 2 minutes---2 for 2 for Grizzlies on penalty kill
5. Steelheads blast it and out of play at 2:26.
6. Out of play at 17:28 left in period.
7. Idaho missed one shot, none from Grizzlies yet this period.
8. Shot saved, Grizzlies miss — Idaho gets it back
9. Second Grizzly attempt blocked.
10. Blocked loss a third time
11. Idaho with puck, offside with 15:48 left
12. Offsides, Idaho gets it to neutral zone
13. Iadho gets a shot off, Goalie [O'Keefe] holds on
14. 3-3 on shots, no one has scored.
15. Holding violation, grizzlies shorted handed for third time tonight---Number 27 [Maxwell] of Grizzlies again number 28 of Steelheads (Maxwell in box for holding at 5:04)
16. Idaho gets the puck, wins the draw in shorthanded situation
17. Turnover to Grizzlies
18. Idaho back to Grizzlies, crosses blueline---another clear to Steelhead side---penalty kill
19. Several nice clears from Utah during penalty
20. 15 seconds left on Maxwell hold---KILLED
21. Crash into Grizzlies net
22. Grizzlies 3 for 3 on penalty kill
23. Grizzlies win the draw
24. 12:25 left to go in the second…Grizzlies clear it
25. Idaho clears it
26. 30 second time-out at 8:04.
27. Grizzlies draw a trip---penalty going to Steelhead John Swanson
28. Idaho contolling puck, Grizzlies break it up…
29. Dustin Friesen with puck, Idaho rolls it back
30. Idaho rolls puck to its zone
31. Attempt by Grizzlies, close miss off the net
32. Sixsmith goes to net
33. Sixsmith tries, just wide
34. Idaho moves for it, hits
35. 4 on 2, Grizzlies tries to do it
36. Sixsmith has the puck, scores!!!! 5 on 5 goal--- O'Keefe was heading of ice, worked puck around---4th of the year for Sixsmith
      a. 8:55 for goal
      b. left to go in the period
      c. Guthrie with one assist
      d. Vladi with second assist
37. Helmet off and fight begins Grizzlies 8 [Kotsy] and 3 Steelheads, 8 [Kotsy] punching, dance, right arm free, guys down, refs break it up. Kotsopoulos started fight, put gloves down
      a. 5 minutes for both men for fighting
      b. 4 on 4.
38. 25 seconds left in period---Grizzlies trying to go 4 for 4 on penalty kills
39. 9 seconds left to go in second period---shot blocked by Grizzlies.
      a. Penalty Killed.
40. First time in 8 games Grizzlies have held opposition to no goals.
41. Idaho held to 12 shots

Second Intermission:
Period Review:
1. special teams was big factor


THIRD PERIOD

1. Begin period 5 on 5
2. Idaho start with puck, Idaho gets 2 shots in the first 20 seconds…fail
3. Grizzlies with puck, 1:00 into it
4. Whistle to Utah for icing.
5. Cross-check
6. Vladi tripped up at center ice
7. Idaho shoots, misses
8. Steelheads skates in front of net.
9. Grizzlies with puck
10. Turn over by Grizzlies
11. 4 shots to nothing for steelheads, tries 5 hit, stopped by O’Keefe.
12. Puck up and out of play.
13. Now at 5 minutes
14. Kinasewich gets it to the far side
15. Grizzlies change up
16. Intercepted by Friesen in neutral zone and into Idaho hand
17. Steelheads get it.
18. Ludwig tries for it, misses Grizzlies net.
19. Maxwell brings it back to Steelhead areas---outshooting Grizzlies, 5-1.
20. Penalty to Steelheads---SLASH on number 20.
      a. Powerplay number 6
      b. Offensive zone drop for Grizzlies.
21. Hunter and Bartley stick for it.
22. 11:45 left
23. 40 seconds left in powerplay
24. Steelheads moving with it, 1 on 4.
25. Meyers knocks it down, to Sixsmith..loose puck, cleared.
26. 10:48 left---second powerplay, number 8 from steelheads out—shoved 18 [Sixsmith] by steelhead net as the first powerplay ended.
      a. 17 from the steelheads and 27 [Maxwell] from the Grizzlies had been moving for the puck.
27. Grizzlies take it to their end.
      a. 1-6 in powerplays
28. Kinasewich lets a couple go.
29. 16 [Friesen] has the puck, moves to 79 [Hunter], down on ice, moves puck to Kinasewich
30. Idaho with puck, broken up by Maxwell, through neutral zone.
31. Sixsmith trying to keep in bluezone---shoot by 20 [Meyers], saved by steelhead goalie.
      a. Offensive zone drop
32. Meyers with puck, goes to Perry, broken up by steelheads
33. Grizzlies 1 for 7 on powerplay.
      a. 37 [Perry] knocked down for puck--boom
34. Steelhead tripped up---Number 3 tosignant---hit by 37 [Perry], sent him flying as he had the puck as he went to Grizzlies net. [Our note: crazy, but deserved penalty. Idaho went soaring]
      a. In the penalty box, 2 minutes for tripping
      b. Grizzlies will try for 6 for 6 on penalty kills, best in history
      c. At 11:42 in 3 period.
35. Off draw, Kinasewich gets it and clears it
36. Deflected out of play by Hunter.
37. Steelheads whistled offsides 20 seconds in penalty.
38. Steelheads moving, in Grizzlies end, ISH 9 with it, left wing wall---20 of steelheads knocked down, by 15 [Clarke] of Grizzlies no penalty.
39. 7:18 left, Grizzlies with puck, flip in wide at the mark
40. Steelheads change up, 27 with it, moving along…
41. Net comes off, play blown dead.
      a. 3 from steelheads and 20 [Meyers] in each others face---refs break it up.
42. 6:46—wide shot at Grizzlies net by 17.
43. 17 tries again, save by O’Keefe 3 second left on penalty play
44. Offensive draw---9 from steelheads, 8 [Kotsy] from Grizzlies---power play over
45. Turn over created by Kotsopoulos
46. ISH 17 tries a shot fails
47. 5:27 left in the period---Grizzlies with puck in offsensive end.
48. Steelheads with puck, 29 shot, O’Keefe saves it.
      a. O’Keefe has stopped all 20 shots.
49. Offensive draw, 3 with steelheads pushes it out—under 5 minutes left.
50. Taken and iced again by Utah.
51. 4:23 left to go. Offensive draw—Grizzlies get it
52. Barlow for steelheads tries right by net, unsuccessful.
53. Steelheads move down to Grizzlies works in---15 of steelheads
      a. Crosscheck by 15 [Clarke] Grizzlies---O’keefe saves it
      b. No penalty shot
      c. 16 of steelheads with puck, pushes it into Grizzlies zone
54. Powerplay negated---6 [Bartley] knocked down by steelhead 15.
      a. 4 on 4 for the next 1 minute and 36 seconds.
      b. Under 3 minutes
55. Kinasewich scores!! Bachman pulled and Kinasewich picks up loose puck.
      a. 2:46 left to go in regulation
      b. 4 on 4 goal into empty net.
      c. Icing call against Utah.
      d. Goalie back in.
      e. No assist.
56. Steelheads with puck, moving around Grizzlies net---
      a. Grizzly penalty over
57. No Grizzlies fans in Idaho :( [Our note: we remember this being mentioned]
58. 4 knocking down
59. Fight—Steelhead 15 and 18 [Sixsmith]
      a. Gloves dropped, number 18 [Sixsmith] goes down [Our note: James went for the knees! WTF?]
            i. Dragged, protected by ref
            ii. 15 had slammed into 18 [Sixsmith], 18 [Sixsmith] went after 15 [Our note: Rome got a suspension for this.]
      b. Now 4 [Gannon] and 15 at each others throats---refs break it up (ref 67)
      c. 15 out of game for Steelheads, I think
      d. Discussion between Steelhead coach and ref
      e. 5 on 5 skating here
      f. 2 minors
            i. tripping
            ii. roughing to Sixsmith
            iii. Gannon gets one too
60. LESS THAN A MINUTE
      a. Will give Grizzlies six wins
      b. Draw at steelhead side
      c. Administrative delays
61. Steelheads with puck, shot, O’Keefe stops it.
62. Offensive draw at Grizzlies
      a. Steelheads with puck
      b. Icing with 6 seconds left
      c. O’Keefe with 22 stops.

Game.
3-0, Grizzlies.


Stars of the Game:
1. O'Keefe
2. Kinasewich


NOTES

What a turn-around. At least in the bit we saw. Less than 24 hours later, the boys looked to be back on track to win. Awesome.

Kinasewich picked up another two goals. Sixsmith got one in as well. Kotsy had an awesome fight. O'Keefe shut them out. All this and more on their own ice.

What a comeback.

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs. Idaho Steelheads Post Game: 11-6-09

Well, the Grizzlies lost. Miserably.

Though for some reason, we didn't find it too painful to watch. The name of the game was turnovers and penalties.

Seriously. That should have been the name of the game. Someone could write an epic Greek tragedy with the title, that is if there hadn't been so much bathos (which, for the non-Greek speakers, is an attempt to perform in a serious, dramatic fashion that fails and ends up becoming comedy) Kinasewich would obviously be the epic hero with both goals . . .

Anyway, the Grizzlies' official postgame is at their site, and the gamesheet is at ECHL.com. Trust us, you'll need it. Our post game is below.


PreGame Stuff: Anthem:



FIRST PERIOD

Grizzlies come out looking a little too hyped up.

Bartley gets the first penalty about 2 minutes in.
Idaho capitalizes. 1-0.
Vic does the skate of shame.

Under a minute later, Snatch ties it up.
His 10th of the season.
Not sure what career goal. One billionth or something.
Points on the assists to Hunter and Friesen on this one.




Coolest part about that goal: it was the first SOG of the game for the Grizzlies.
One shot, one goal.
We sense next year's theme . . .

Boys pick up speed and start playing like a real team.




This is what we call our May series:
Here's May in front of the net.



Then he tries to start a fight.



Vlady-Sixsmith-May for the face off. May's talking to Rome about something . . . involved.



Then Idaho gets a 5-on-3.
Perry goes to the box. Snatch follows him :30 seconds later.
Idaho capitalizes.
Boo.

But there's still hope, right?

End of first. 2-1, Idaho.



First Intermission: Totally unaware of the complete and utter destruction that lay ahead, we went out and got some pictures of fans. Check 'em out.

This girl had a Mole shirt. Awesome.




SECOND PERIOD

Parker starts out the 2nd in the net for Utah.



Early in the 2nd, the boys start out with a 5-on-3 power play situation.
Idaho racks up more penalties.
We love the outrage in the pic below.


Classic.
We can't even remember who was down on the ice there.

This is a freakin' long 5-on-3.


And the boys still can't capitalize.
Damn.

Idaho was a mass of blue around their net.
Awesome defense on their part.

You could feel the frustration on the ice.
Snatch took a half-assed swing at the puck from the blue line.
It was probably the closest shot they had.
Sad.

Snatch and Rome talk to the ref about penalties, a common sight of the second.


Though the boys are able to keep the ISH in check until late in the period.

Shea is escorted to the box for idiot-slapping an Idaho player.
Your chariot, sir.

Unfortunately, Idaho capitalizes.

Shea does the skate of shame.

3-1, Idaho.

Later, Kotsy gets a slashing minor.

Face off.

And Idaho capitalizes.

Kotsy skate-of-shames it.

4-1.

30 seconds later, Idaho gets another one.

It was bad.

There was a bit of a flub up by Parker over whether or not to cover up.

He chose poorly.

Sad.

Parker gets pulled.

O'Keefe is in.

Then, Idaho gets a penalty.

Kinasewich works it.

And he buries it.

Goal #2 of the night.

We wish we would have snapped a pic of this, but we were busy cheering.

5-2.

Nearing the end of the second . . .

FISTICUFFS!

Gannon and a bunch of Idaho punks. Rome gets 3rd man in.

Misconduct for Rome. Aseeya!

We think Kotsy's about to go with Idaho punk #3.

But the refs keep them apart.

Words.

30 seconds left in the period.

Then at the blue line, one second before the end of the period, Kotsy pulls #3 down.

And stands over him as the buzzer goes.

With this expression that says, "Well, whatcha gonna do 'bout it?"

Accompanied by a brief shrug of the shoulders.

This made the game.

Seriously.

Nice to see Kotsy back.

End of second. 5-2, Idaho.


Second Intermission: We mostly sat around. The Grizzlies got told their intermissions were too long, so they didn't put on a show either. More fan photos below.

Thauwald jersey! She didn't know we were taking this . . .

THIRD PERIOD

So . . . We kind of stopped taking notes at this point.

This is why:

Need we say more?

But here's your basic rundown of the period:

Idaho goal.

Penalties.

Penalties. Penalties.

Idaho goal.

Penalties. Penalties. Penalties.

Penalties.

Fights.

And, oh yeah -

Penalties.

For details, read the gamesheet. Which apparently was a bugger to fill out.

And, of course, our favorite picture comes from the 3rd.

This was preceded by our favorite moment. Perry getting a slashing call for sitting on the puck.

Then laughing like a little girl on the way to the box.

We got just as much glee out of that as he did.

Game.

7-2, Idaho.

Stars of the Game:

Who cares - obviously not us.

NOTES

Nothing to declare.

Except . . .

Can one really call 3 wins a streak? Isn't a streak more like 5+?

Isn't winning 3 games just good hockey?

Anyway . . .

Go Grizzlies!