Around the League: ECHL 3/15/10

We're a little late to the game on this one, but we simply had to post about it.

Thomas Beauregard, who currently sits at 6th of the goal leaders in the ECHL, was traded to the last place Johnstown Chiefs from the Wheeling Nailers and has refused to report to his new team.

The Johnstown Chiefs are moving to South Carolina next season, and the trade with Wheeling was part of their effort to rebuild for 2010-2011. The Chiefs gave up a promising Jordan Morrison in the trade that they hoped would be a boost to the struggling team but ended up without a star player. The Chiefs had three options: they could suspend Beauregard without pay, trade him before the deadline, or wait to see if their newly acquired star decided to grow a pair and join the team. Apparently, Beauregard was stunned by the trade, but if there's one thing we've learned in Utah this season, it's that no one is too great or too essential to be traded. Period. However, it doesn't sound like Beauregard got that memo . . .

Fortunately, the Johnstown Chiefs were willing to man up when Beauregard didn't. They passed him off to the Elmira Jackals before the March 12 team deadline.

And now for the rest of your ECHL headlines . . .


American Conference
NORTH:

The Cincinnati Cyclones (39-21-1-2) are closing in on a playoff berth, which could happen with a win over Johnstown on Thursday.

Former Grizzly Patrick Asselin, now of the Kalamazoo Wings (36-18-5-3), extended his current scoring streak to 5 games with an assist on Friday.

The Toledo Walleye (31-26-2-4) may have lost their last 4 games, but goalie Richards is keeping them afloat.

The Wheeling Nailers (29-29-2-4) played their last game at Johnstown's War Memorial this weekend.


EAST:

Tyler Donati of the Elmira Jackals (34-21-4-2) has set the new team season scoring record with 94 points.

Stefano Gillati of the Reading Royals (31-27-1-3) was named ECHL player of the week for March 1-7.

Jeff Prough currently leads the Trenton Devils (28-26-4-5) in points tallying 10 in his last 5 games.

Thomas Beauregard refused to report to the Johnstown Chiefs (16-36-7-4) after being traded by the Nailers. Seriously, dude? (He's since been traded to the Jackals.)


SOUTH:

The South Carolina Stingrays (37-17-6-6) are guarenteed a playoff spot in the American Division.

The Charlotte Checkers (35-20-4-3) have acquired Trevor Hendrix and Mike Bartlett from the Johnstown Cheifs in exchange for future considerations.

The Florida Everblades (34-21-4-5) picked up Parker Van Buskirk in a trade with the Stingrays - think this means we'll be seeing Parker back in Utah soon? (kidding . . . kind of.)

Tim Miller of the Gwinnett Gladiators (28-28-4-3) pushed his scoring streak into the double digits over the weekend to a career best of 10 games.



National Conference
PACIFIC:

The Bakersfield Condors (32-25-4-1), who have held the top spot in the Pacific Division for most of the season, were swept this weekend by the Wranglers.

The Las Vegas Wranglers (30-26-4-3) are currently in the midst of a 4 game winning streak, including a sweep of the Condors at home.

Rookie Chris D'Alvise of the Stockton Thunder (28-24-2-7) is turning out to be priceless for his team.

Jon Rheault of the Ontario Reign (27-26-3-6) picked up his first hat trick with the team on Sunday.


WEST:

The Idaho Steelheads (42-13-1-4) have clinched the division title in the National West.

The Victoria Salmon Kings (31-26-4-2) added forward Jeff Lynch to their roster last Friday.

The Alaska Aces (29-26-3-4) have added two new faces to their roster: winger Jarrett Konkle and goalie Josh Johnson.

The Utah Grizzlies (28-25-3-5) will be hosting the Hanson Brothers, most well known from the movie Slap Shot, on March 27.

Utah Grizzlies acquire Brock Wilson, trade Parker Van Buskirk, Brooks

More Utah Grizzlies roster transactions today.

Out:

• Parker Van Buskirk traded to the South Carolina Stingrays in exchange for future considerations. He leaves the Grizzlies with 5-8-1-0 and a 3.98 GAA this season.


• Defenseman Chris Brooks was traded to the Bakersfield Condors in exchange for future considerations.

In:

• Brock Wilson was added to the Utah Grizzlies from the Toledo Walleye in exchange for future considerations. Wilson, a defenseman, has 11 points in 29 games this year with the Walleye.

Utah keeps goaltenders Mitch O'Keefe and Beau Erikson on the roster. Erickson will make his debut with the Grizzlies tonight.

Wilson should be in a Grizzlies uniform tonight as well.

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Bakersfield Condors Post Game 12/18/09

Fifth loss in a row.

This game was so bloated with penalties that neither side could gain momentum. That being said, both goals from Utah were power play goals by Perry which was a nice end to an 11 period drought where the Grizzlies couldn't capitialize on a power play chance.

And really, can enough be said for Parker Van Buskirk who kept the boys in this game? He had some magnificent saves, stopping 27 of 30, and deserved a bit more love from his teammates. Hopefully, the can show their appreciation over the holiday games.

Dale and Stoflet made their return to the E Center with the Condors tonight. Stoflet ended up with a +1 and 2 PIM. Dale was a healthy scratch.

Don't forget to read the official post game at the Utah Grizzlies site, the gamesheet at ECHL.com, and ours below.

FIRST PERIOD

RJ starts a fight early again.

We don't quite understand the strategy of a fight this early in the game.

But it doesn't matter because it happens anyway.

Both teams start it out with 5 for fighting.

In front of the Condors' net.

May gets one for hooking.

Bakersfield goes to the box, and the Grizzlies caplitalize.

Perry draws first blood with the power play goal. 1-0.

Snatch and Maxwell get the points for the assists.

There's a big shoving match in front of the net.

Carpentier gets roughing along with some Condor.

Another Condor gets called for hooking.

Grizzlies on the power play.

They can't do anything with it.

End of first. 1-0, Grizzlies.

SECOND PERIOD

11 penalties in the 2nd.

3 for Utah, 8 for Bakersfield.

Clarke got a penalty for kneeing.

He and a Condor also got fighting, so we guess it happened in the midst of it.

But Bakersfield ties it up during their power play. 1-1.

Parker is keeping the boys in this game.

They need to show him some love.

Utah regains their lead momentarily on another power play goal.

Stoflet goes to the box for the Condors.

And Perry gets his second of the night. 2-1.

Points to May and Kinasewich on the assists.

Then the Condors get another goal and tie it up.

Even strength goal. 2-2.

At least it wasn't a shorty . . .

Digging the puck out of the corners.

Parnham and some Bakersfield punk go at it at the end of the period.

Both get roughing.

End of second. 2-2.

THIRD PERIOD

Clarke gets a penalty for Holding the stick a minute into the period.

Killed.

Less penalties this period.

More for Utah: 5 compared to Bakersfield's two.

Maxwell goes after the puck.

Clark and some Condor mix it up and get penalties for roughing.

Vlady takes a tour for hooking.

Bakersfield gets a goal. 3-2.

Kotsy goes for high-sticking.

Perry joins him for interference.

5-on-3 killed.

Most of the 3rd is played in the Grizzlies' defensive zone.

Utah couldn't stop picking up penalties.

Game.
3-2, Condors.

Stars of the Game:

2. AJ Perry

3. Parker Van Buskirk

Go Grizzlies!

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

Overtime loss tonight.

We don't know if Colley is going to be pleased or pissed about this one.

Parts of the game were a hot mess. But when Utah had the momentum, they rolled with it. May's penalty shot was slick as could be, Perry's goal in the 3rd was flawless, and Parker denied the Condors 33 times out of 36. However, when you throw in a botched 5-on-3 power play, a shorthanded Bakersfield goal, and some sloppy penalties in the 3rd and OT, you can see the Grizzlies did themselves no favors tonight.

The official post game is up at UtahGrizzlies.com. ECHL.com has the gamesheet, and our song and dance is below.

FIRST PERIOD

Condors are wearing special jerseys.
We guess they do that a lot.

Grizzlies need to throw more checks.
If there was a hit of the game replay, it wouldn't be from Utah.
Ever.

Gannon goes to the box for hooking.
Condors get the first goal on the power play. 1-0.

Utah, what the hell?

Then the Grizzlies get a couple of power play chances.
But they decide to spend the time in their own end.
Bakersfield even gets a shorthanded SOG.
Premonition?

Romano starts a fight and goes to the box for roughing.

Carpentier joins him for holding.

Bakersfield gets a roughing call, too.

May gets a penalty shot with a minute left in the 1st.
Do it.

And he does. May ties it up, thankfully.
Grizzlies don't have to start the 2nd behind.

End of first. 1-1.


First Intermission: Haggin goes one-on-one with Dustin Friesen, who doesn't like video games. Whatevs. Boy can take a hit like nobody's business.


SECOND PERIOD

Early penalty for the Grizzlies.
May reclaims his title of PK king.

Utah starts to wake up.

Some Bakersfield joke pushes Hugo down in front of the net after the whistle.
And Utah just stand there, so Romano comes to take care of it.

Boys, when you don't protect your own, you look like pansies.
We often wonder how Utah pulls off such a half-assed physical game against teams like Alaska, Bakersfield, and Idaho.
Especially when we have a coach like Colley.

We've been waiting for a reason to post that.

Colley, teach your boys to fight.

Grizzlies get a 5-on-3 power play chance.
Our first thought was "Boys, don't embarrass yourselves!"

But they do.

Anybody have stats on Utah's 5-on-3 power play goals?

It can't possibly be as bad as we pretend it is, especially considering Utah's power play rank in the ECHL.

Even though we sound cranky about the game so far, we're actually quite pleased that the boys were able to hold Bakersfield scoreless this period.

Both teams had some good chances.

But nothing.

End of second. 1-1.


Second Intermission: We couldn't think of anything good to text, so we made a cake.

Though, we agree with Yo about the Bakersfield scorekeepers. They don't know a SOG when they see it. Or whatever they're smoking is really good.


THIRD PERIOD

Perry takes care of business. 2-1.
He made it look so easy, we thought it was fake. B2 even had it on the close up.
Snatch is the only assist on that.

Now we're getting somewhere.

The boys look alive out there, and we're biting nails and grinding teeth.

Bakersfield gets a penalty, but Grizzlies decide to play it in their own end, again.

Shorthanded goal for Bakersfield. 2-2.
What a joke.
But Dale got an assist on that. So, good on him.

Good job to a Hughes-Parnham shift.

They were on Bakersfield like flies on poo.

Looks like we're going to overtime.

And Kotsy gets a roughing penalty with :06 left in regulation.

Doh!

End of third. 2-2.


OVERTIME

Grizzlies start it shorthanded.
4-on-3. Killed.

Gannon penalty.
Colley pissed.
Grizzlies lose.

Game.
3-2, Condors.

No Utah stars of the game, again.

NOTES

So, the Grizzlies turn a wishy-washy start into a nail-biter. We pretty much spoke our mind in the recap, so we'll leave the rest up to Colley.

Sounds like the local newspaper quoted some troll talking about the Grizzlies' lack of physical presence last night. Don't get us wrong - the joke's comment was laughable (finally got his first pro goal - cool story, bro), but we've been saying that the Grizzlies need to step it up on the physical side of things all season. Last night was a pretty sorry example of their physical play, and tonight wasn't much better.

Granted, our team is built around snipers and speed rather than strength, but even so.

Throw some damn checks, boys.

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Alaska Aces Post Game 11/28/09

What a night for Alaska.

One of their players got a hat trick and two assists, several of their players had multipoint games, their captain got a 5-on-3 short handed goal, and their goaltender was on fire.

The Grizzlies 3 top players, on the other hand, finished up the game with a -5.

Seriously depressing.

However, Pavli did get his first goal of the season, which was probably the one good thing to come out of this for Utah.

But don't just take our word for it. Go read the official post game at the Utah Grizzlies site and the gamesheet at ECHL.com. Our post game is below.

FIRST PERIOD

Alaska gets the first goal a minute in on Parker.

1-0.

Damnit, this is going to be a repeat of last night.

In the neutral zone: Snatch, Perry, Hunter, Friesen, and Gannon.

Utah pretends to play some defense.

Gannon gets a penalty for tripping.

Killed.

Snatch talks to the ref.

But the Grizzlies hold off Alaska until the end of the period.

When they get their second goal of the night.

End of first. 2-0, Aces.

SECOND PERIOD

Alaska repeats the 1st period, getting a goal in under a minute of play.

3-0.

Different goalie, same lack of defense on Utah's part.

Hughes mourns a missed shot.

Alaska gets a penalty, and the Grizzlies capitalize.

May knocks one in. 3-1.

Points to Hughes and Vlady on the assists.

Goal celebration!

Then Utah gets a penalty.

Parnham goes to the box for high-sticking.

Alaska scores. 4-1.

Some guy at the game got arrested during the 2nd.

This was the most interesting thing to happen for the whole game.

Seriously.

Unfortunately, the picture we got of it is way too blurry.

Alaska gets two more goals in this period.

One of them was a short handed 5-on-3 goal.

Utah was alseep on the ice.

At this point in the game, Kinasewich, Hunter, and Perry all have a -5.

This is not the same team we saw two games ago.

End of second. 6-1, Aces.

THIRD PERIOD

The best thing about this period was Pavli's goal.

His first of the season.

We were actually talking about him getting a goal earlier in the game.

So we were excited about it.

Assists to Dale and Maxwell on that.

Dale is pretty much awesome.

If Kinasewich put in as much effort as Dale did during his shifts, this would have been a completely different game.

There were a lot of penalties.

And two Gannon fights.

The first he was totally punked from behind.

It was ridiculous.

But Alaska probably knew if they didn't cheap shot him, they'd be the one's going down.

Which is what happened in the second fight.

Gannon took Alaska out.

But our camera had died by that point.

Along with the Grizzlies will to live.

Game.

6-2, Alaska.

Post game skate with the team photo:

Stars of the Game:

1. Not Ryan Kinasewich

2. Not Dylan Hunter

3. Not A.J. Perry

NOTES

We're not going to sugar coat this at all. This was quite the pathetic display. And we're pretty sure the boys got an earful from Colley and Curcio, as they should have.

We did have a few questions, though . . .

What happened to our excellent defense?

It seems like Utah was stellar defensively prior to the last two games. Now, all of the sudden the Grizzlies can't break up a play to save their lives, let alone protect the net. There were a couple of moments last night where the defense just let the Aces waltz past them while they were looking at the bench. We could actually see the Aces' setting up the goal from center ice, yet our boys failed to stop it. What gives?

Why aren't we checking anyone?

When Vlady (and Dale) is the only one consistantly throwing a decent check, there's something wrong. May was the only one on our team that looked close to the size of the Alaska players, yet Vlady was the one throwing the checks on these guys? Come on.

Kinasewich, really?

We actually love Kinasewich, don't get us wrong. And when the kid is on fire, he's lethal. He even tallied 9 SOG during this sad excuse for a game. But when you play an entire shift in your defensive zone and your stick doesn't even touch the ice . . . dude. Really? That's a poor show of effort, no matter who you are - from Ovechkin down to peewee hockey. Now, there could be a myriad of reasons as to why Snatch put on such a sad show (jetlag, time zone changes, emo-ness, whatevs), but we still expect to see him play hockey when he steps on the ice.

But again. Who said we knew anything about hockey.
We're just calling it how we see it.

To better luck next time.

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. 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!

Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads Post Game 11-4-09

To be honest, we weren't surprised about this win. The Grizzlies have been looking sharp. We're digging the changes in the lines. And they've seemed to be more consistant over the last few games.

Also, the Grizzlies always seem to win on Wednesdays when only hardcore fans are in attendance. Just under 2000 showed up for the awesome site that was yesterday's game.

Grizzlies have their post game up on their site, the ECHL has the gamesheet online, and our rendition of the facts lies below.

FIRST PERIOD

Both teams came out solid.

Grizzlies looked like they wanted it more.

Idaho probably thought this would be an easy ride.

Wrong.

Idaho gets the first penalty.

Grizzlies capitalize.

Three seconds left in the power play, Hunter lights the lamp for the first time of the night.

1-0.

A beautiful goal.

We were actually discussing Hunter as he made the goal.

Points to Snatch and Bubba for the assists.

We are absolutely loving the Vlady-Sixsmith-May line.

And not just because we thought it would be a good idea.

Such a fun line to watch.

4 minutes after his goal, Hunter goes to the box. The slasher.

Idaho ties it up, 1-1.

Joni can't figure out which one Caria is for some reason.

Grizzlies get another powerplay opportunity, but can't capitalize.

Lots of good defense.

Perry is stealthy as ever.

Just after the buzzer sounds, there's a bit of a rumble by the benches.

Words and shoves.

Idaho will start the 2nd shorthanded.

Nice.

End of first. Tied, 1-1.

First Intermission: Joan is obsessed with taking pictures of a baby with a mohawk. It was a cute baby. See below. :)

SECOND PERIOD

Grizzlies start the period out with a power play.

Then, Idaho picks up another penalty.

5-on-3.

Hunter gets his second of the night. 2-1.

Ida-pimp can't do anything to stop it; the Grizz are rockin' the power play tonight.

Points to Caria and Friesen on the assists.

Kinasewich picks up a penalty for hooking.

The boys kill it with style.

May is freakin' amazing on penalty killing.

We think he's found his calling.

Clarke waits for the puck to drop.

Vlady gets a penalty for tripping.

Idaho capitalizes and ties it up. 2-2.

Damn.

Shortly after, Idaho gets another penalty.

During the Grizzlies' power play, Idaho grabs the puck and races for a shorthanded goal.

He misses, but is allotted a penalty shot.

We weren't sure what was going on at first, we just saw Snatch yelling at a ref.

Which in and of itself was pretty awesome.

So, Idaho takes his shot.

Parker robs him blind and leaves his bloodied body by the wayside.

Seriously, though. Van Buskirk was on fire.

Look at that freakin' style.

Clarke picks up a penalty for holding.

Whatevs.

The Grizzlies decide turn-about is fair play.

Hunter gets a shorthanded breakaway.

He's foiled, but gets a penalty shot.

The arena is going crazy.

Hunter slips one in past the goalie. 3-2.

Every goal for Utah so far has been scored by Hunter.

Which means . . .

HAT TRICK! Wooooo!

And also means we get to use our video clip again:

We didn't have hats or we would have thrown them.

Idaho can't capitalize on the rest of their power play.

We think the Grizzlies kind of stole the wind from their sails.

Just to prove a point, Vlady gets a goal. 4-2.

Unassisted.

We didn't even see that coming.

Then Clarke takes another tour.

Joni has a few strokes.

But the boys kill it.

And May continues to prove he's king of PK.

Not to detract from all the other princes of the amazing PK because they were hardcore.

But May was making craziness look easy.

Hail to the king, baby.

At the end of the 2nd, Caria gets some massive penalties.

Slashing major and game misconduct.

But we still aren't sure why.

This is what we saw:

Bunch of players skate past the Idaho bench at top speed.

One of the Idaho guys drops to the ice and shakes off his glove.

Wha-?

We missed it.

But now Joni knows which one Caria is.

Grizzlies are going to start the 3rd shorthanded for almost 5 minutes.

Crap.

End of second. 4-2, Grizzlies.

Second Intermission: Grizzbee shoots a shirt cannon or whatever.

Chuck-a-Puck isn't going to be until the end of the game . . . ? Some girl takes M&Ms over tickets. She should have taken the tickets.

THIRD PERIOD

Grizzlies start the 3rd shorthanded for 4 1/2 minutes.

However, they prove to be up for the challenge.

Amazing.

We seriously wish we had been on the other end to get better pictures of this.

Because words cannot describe it.

In the last few seconds of Idaho's power play, Kotsy draws a penalty and evens things out.

Then the Grizzlies go on the power play.

They can't capitalize on that one, but no worries.

Perry does this awesome from-the-ass pass.

He's down on the ice, completely taken out by a check.

He clears the puck to one of the boys heading down the ice.

Idaho is stunned.

The Grizzlies get another power play chance 3 minutes later and make good on it.

Perry gets his first goal of the season. 5-2.

Points to Shea and Snatch for the assists.

With half of the 3rd period left, Utah calls a time out.

Wise move.

Grizzlies typically get sloppy as the 3rd progresses.

Looks like the coaches decided to take 30 seconds to remind them of that.

We become more impressed with Colley and Curcio by each passing minute.

Idaho gets another penalty.

Grizzlies can't capitalize and spend most of the time in their own end.

Whatevs.

Parker rocks the kasbah, and the boys play some awesome defense.

Vlady has a crazy shift with his line.

He speeds down the ice to catch up with some Idaho punk on a breakaway.

Then throws this incredible check.

And before we know it he's back in position and clear for a pass.

Bravo.

Kotsy almost gets a skate the face.

THAT was kind of freaky.

Probably even more so for him.

Sixsmith kicks some Idaho joke's trash at the end of the game.

So much awesome that Idaho was embarrassed to put it on their site.

They both take majors for fighting.

Whatevs.

Game.

5-2, Grizzlies.

Stars of the Game

1. Hunter (was there any question?)

2. Parker

3. Sixsmith

Nice - clean sweep for Utah.

NOTES

Vlady-Sixsmith-May. Need we say more?

Sounds like Caria may have to pay a fine. However, the Grizzlies may have the call reviewed. Caria seemed to be pretty low key all evening, so it seems odd to us that he would have intentionally slashed the guy.

The Grizzlies power play is awesome. For the past few years, we've been watching a incredibly impotent power play and penalty kill and wondering what the hell everyone was thinking in putting it together this way. To see the Grizzlies power play suddenly explode last night (and over the last few games) was amazing. Good job to the boys and the coaches for this beautiful orchestration. We gave a standing ovation after the kill at the first of the 3rd. Well deserved. We hope to see more of this.

Kinasewich picked up another multipoint night.

We do have other pictures of this game and others, but we're currently looking into a photo account of some sort to post them all.

Go Grizzlies!