Western Conference Semifinals: Game 3

Utah will really need to step up their game on the road after dropping the first two in this series at home. Fortunately, the Grizzlies have at the very least two good things going for them: Matt Reber and their power play.


After joining Utah straight from his college hockey career, Reber has been a boon in every way. He currently leads rookies in scoring during the playoffs with 10 points and is part of the reason the Grizzlies power play has seen a comeback. Utah's power play sits in the top spot at 40.9%. Well hello, power play . . .

The Salmon Kings have the obnoxious and not too uncommon stat of being 5-0 when leading after 2 periods. So the Grizzlies will need to work hard to put the breaks on any Victoria leads that arise.

We were going to wait and see if Denny had anything to add in his blog, but we have shit to do. Mostly, we'd just like to see some effort from the boys before this series is swept away from them.

Here's to hoping for some playoff hockey.

Game 1: Salmon Kings 4, Grizzlies 2

Zero down, four to go.

Not a bad game by Utah, but the boys just weren't on top of their opportunities in the same way Victoria was. We were hoping to see the same fire from the Grizzlies in the first game of this series as we did in the first game against Stockton, but Utah couldn't consistently pull off that same buzz. However, the Grizzlies kept at it right down to the wire and worked on coming back after each Victoria goal, which is something we'd like to see continue throughout the series. Tomorrow, we'd like to see them keep in those pucks in the Salmon Kings' end - but that's just us.

Nice to see the power play still clicking. Both Grizzlies goals tonight were on the man advantage. While Utah's special teams are doing some great work, it sounds like Victoria's goal is to stay out of the box as much as possible - so we're gonna need to see some 5-on-5 goals as well. However, if the Grizzlies can continue to capitalize on the Salmon Kings' penalties like they did tonight, they can't go wrong.

Matt Reber was at it again, picking up assists on both of Utah's goals. Talk about an asset to the power play. We have to hand it to both Reber and Tuzzolino - they've really given special teams a boost.

Pick one up tonight, boys.

Stars of the Game -

1. VIC - D. Martin
2. UTA - M. Reber
3. VIC - J. Caister

Links -
post game || Victoria Edges Out Utah: Game 2 Saturday at Maverik Center
gamesheet || Victoria at Utah - 4/15/11
highlights || Game Highlights 4/15/11 vs Victoria
interview || Kevin Colley 4/15/11 post game
interview || Matt Clarke 4/15/11 intermission

Game 4: Grizzlies 5, Thunder 0

Wow. They finished it in 4.

So, this is how the series ends for Stockton - not with a bang, but with a whimper. (Give yourself bonus nerd points if you know that reference.)

On to Victoria!

Stars of the Game -

1. UTA - J. Lamoureux
2. UTA - P. McIlveen
3. UTA - M. Reber

Links -

post game || Grizzlies Advance With 5-0 Win Over Stockton
gamesheet || Utah at Stockton - 4/10/11
highlights || Game Highlights 4/10/11 at Stockton
interview || Samson Mahbod 4/10/11 intermission