Transactions and other Utah Grizzlies news

There have been a few more changes to the Grizzlies' roster this week.


In:

• James Sixsmith rejoins the Grizzlies from his latest stint in the AHL. He played Monday night, but was not feeling well and did not travel with the team in Victoria.
• Steve McJannet was acquired from the Florida Everblades in exchange for future considerations. McJannet made himself at home with his first fight in a Utah jersey on Monday night.

Out:

• Chris Allen, who only played 3 games on Utah ice, has been traded to Bakersfield. He's the third defenseman this year to be traded to Bakersfield from Utah.
• Forward Ryan-James Hand has been placed on waivers. Looks like he was picked up yesterday by the Reading Royals.
• Patrick Asselin, who was picked up off waivers by Utah from Idaho, has been traded to Kalamazoo in exchange for future considerations.

Other Utah Grizzlies news

The Grizzlies made a visit to Shriners Hospital on January 27. Shriners Hospital was the chosen charity for the Guns & Hoses 2010 game which was played on January 30. The Grizzlies were scheduled to wear themed jerseys later that night and auction them for charity after the game, but the jerseys were delayed. The auction is scheduled to take place following the February 20 game.

A portion of ticket sales from Monday's game was donated to the Shoot for a Cure charity which promotes awareness about spinal injuries. We think this is pretty damn cool and wished we could have heard more about this than Gary Coleman dropping the puck

Former Utah Grizzlies goaltender Parker Van Buskirk has been loaned to the Hershey Bears of the AHL. He's been signed to a PTO and looks like he'll be playing backup.

The Grizzlies are in Victoria tonight. Puck drops at 8 pm.

Post Game: Thunder 6, Grizzlies 4

Utah was looking to sweep this series and pad their drooping win column which has been suffering due to a recent slump. Unfortunately, Stockton proved just how essential scoring the first goal can be by capturing the lead 1:24 into the 1st and never letting go. Despite an amazing power play and some beautiful offense, the Grizzlies weren't able to get the win.

Stockton drew first blood when the Grizzlies were unable to clear the puck in the initial minutes of the game. The Grizzlies tied things up, answering Thunder goals twice with separate power play goals before Stockton took a two goal lead in the 2nd. After a lull in momentum, Utah battled back at the end of the 2nd period to tie the game once again, only to drop another goal to Stockton early in the 3rd.

The Grizzlies battled through the 3rd period, but were unable to push the game past regulation. Stockton topped off the win getting an empty net goal with 0:46 left in the 3rd.

From the official post game:

The Grizzlies fell behind 1-0 1:24 into the game and would never lead though they battled back to tie at one in the first and 2-2 and 4-4 in the second period. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Road Weary Grizzlies Complete Trip
gamesheet || Utah at Stockton 1/16/10
highlights || Game Highlights 1/16/09
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog

Scoring Summary:

STK J. Cauldron (9), 1:24 1st period (Gongalsky, Hemingway); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 0
UTA J. Sixsmith (9), 10:16 1st period (Perry, Kinasewich); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 1
STK J. Bates (9), 15:26 1st period (Pitton, Young); Thunder 2, Grizzlies 1
UTA A. Perry (14), 4:21 2nd period (Crowder, Kinasewich); Thunder 2, Grizzlies 2
STK J. Bates (10), 4:52 2nd period; Thunder 3, Grizzlies 2
STK M. Robinson (10), 9:54 2nd period (Dacosta, Bates); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 2
UTA P. Asselin (3), 10:40 2nd period (Crowder, Radke); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 3
UTA T. Crowder (5), 15:32 2nd period (Kinasewich, Perry); Thunder 4, Grizzlies 4
STK J. Bates (11), 0:41 3rd period (D'Alvise); Thunder 5, Grizzlies 4
STK J. Bates (12), EN 19:14 3rd period; Thunder 6, Grizzlies 4

What We Think Worked Well: Power Play
The Grizzlies were able to generate goals on 3 of their 5 power play opportunites, and had only one 5-on-5 goal. The combination of Kinasewich-Perry-Sixsmith-Crowder proved to be lethal against Stockton and vital in keeping Utah in the game.

What Could Have Worked Better: Top Line Defense
The Grizzlies offensive top line finished the game in the minus column (Kinasewich -3, Perry -4, Galbraith -1). While defense is not the offensive line's main priority, we noticed that Utah had a tough time clearing the puck out of their own end when this line was on the ice. This included a solid 1:30+ shift defending the net in the 2nd.

Who Made the Difference: Tim Crowder
While the work of the Pavli-Parnham-Hand line brought some tough dedication and amazing shifts, Tim Crowder can't escape our attention. Crowder was instrumental in all 3 Utah power play goals, scoring the final PPG. Tim also tallied 2 assists and led the Grizzlies with 7 SOG, which earned him the 3rd Star of the Game in the 6-4 loss.


Stars of the Game:

1. STK J. Bates
2. STK M. Robinson
3. UTA T. Crowder

Additional Notes:

> Ryan Kinasewich added 3 points to his total with power play assists.

> AJ Perry scored a power play goal and 2 assists for his multipoint night.

> Former Steelheads Asselin (goal) and Radke (assist) tallied a point a piece in this match.

> James Sixsmith continued his scoring streak with another first period goal.

> Three Grizzlies (Kinasewich, Perry, Crowder) had multipoint nights.

> Utah and Stockton matched shot for shot tallying 38 SOG a piece in the contest.

Utah Grizzlies vs Alaska Aces 1/9/10

Grizzlies win.

It looks like the boys traded their 3rd period in for their 1st this game. While the Grizzlies started out shaky, they came back strong in the last 40 minutes with 5 unanswered goals to grab the win. Four Grizzlies ended the night with multiple points: n00b Asselin picks up two goals and the first star of the game, Vlady and Crowder tally a goal and an assist each, and Kinasewich picks up two assists.

We wish we had video of the ref denying the whining of Alaska. It seems to us that if they can't get calls or pull stuff without getting called, they can't play a game. Which is kind of sad (and probably a litte pathetic) for their supporters, but really funny for us!

And as always here are some links to the official post game and the ECHL gamesheet. Our post game is below.

FIRST PERIOD

Utah gets lucky when Alaska misses an open net as O'Keefe comes out of the crease to play the puck. Alaska starst applying the pressure early, and the Grizzlies have problems controling the puck. Friesen gets worked behind the net and draws a hooking penalty on Alaska. Kotsy makes it a 5-on-3 when he goes to the Alaska box for roughing. But the boys spend too much time setting it up and only tally one SOG during the entire power play opportunity. Grizzlies have another power play chance later in the 1st. Just :11 in, Hugo gets called for hooking and negates the power play. Alaska scores on the 4 on 4.

End of first. 1-0, Aces.


SECOND PERIOD

The Grizzlies come out playing aggressively; passes are connecting, they keep control of the puck. Friesen takes a shot through traffic, and Crowder is at the net to deflect it in to tie things up, 1-1. Parnham picks up the second assist on the goal. Alaska almost scores, but it is called off by the ref when he loses site of the puck - nice break for Utah. Carpentier puts the Grizzlies in the lead with a wrap-around goal from behind the net. Kinasewich and Vlady get the assists. The refs call it good, but Alaska disagrees. This is the turning point of the game. Alaska's Martin follows the ref around whining like a desperate jr. high girl who just got dumped; ref tells him to STFU or GTFO, and when Martin doesn't shut up, he goes to the box for Unsportsmanlike conduct. Grizzlies score on the power play when Asselin pokes it in off a centering pass from Crowder behind the net, 3-1. May gets the second assist. 3 minutes later, Asselin tallies his second of the night from a Kinasewich centering pass. It's a little sloppy, but we'll take it with joy!

End of second. 4-1, Grizzlies.

THIRD PERIOD

Ah, the dreaded 3rd. How we hate you. The Grizzlies are looking to defend their lead, and with awesome defense and amazing O'Keefe work, it looks like they're going to get the job done. Vlady sweetens the score by walking in on the Alaska goalie and burying it. After the Vlady goal, Alaska fans start to leave. Utah finishes the game with 5 unanswered goals. O'Keefe makes some beautiful glove saves and the defense stays on their game for the win.

Game.
5-1, Grizzlies.


Stars of the Game
1. Patrick Asselin
2. Mitch O'Keefe
3. Tim Crowder


To continuing the wins . . .

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Alaska Aces Post Game 1/8/10

Grizzlies lose.
Same score, different day.

Utah had a lot more fight this game than we've seen through this entire slump. Maybe the end is in sight? We went to Legends to watch the game this time, which we're recommending. If you've ever thought about joining them there, do it. It's a good sized room and everyone gets into the game, so you're not going to be the only psycho yelling at the TV.

This was a better loss to watch than the past few, to be honest. The Grizzlies fought for it in the 3rd, there was a bench brawl at the end of the 2nd, we saw two excellent Kinasewich goals, a May goal, and a stellar 1st period. N00b Asselin joined the team for this game due to the injuries from Wednesday and picked up an assist on the opening May goal.

Since we went to Legends to watch the game, we're going to be a little lax on the recap. We blame beer. For something more comprehensive, read the official post game and the gamesheet at the Utah Grizzlies site and ECHL.com, respectively.


FIRST PERIOD

The 1st period was all Utah. Tom May opened up the scoring 3:20 in. Parnham picks up a point on that and Asselin gets his first point in a Grizzlies jersey on the assist. Kinasewich scores the next two goals for the Grizzlies, his 23rd and 24th of the season. Vlady and Gannon get the assists for the first, and Hugo and Clarke pick them up for the second. Kotsy and some other Ace start it with Hugo. They all get penalties.

End of first. 3-0, Grizzlies.


SECOND PERIOD

Alaska scores two power play goals. Grizzlies are starting to look more and more shaky out there. Then at the end of the period Kotsy slashes goalie Erickson. Really, Kotsy? What would your mother say? BENCH BRAWL! We gotta say this was pretty awesome, especially watching it at Legends. Because everyone was yelling at the screen, not just us, and that made us feel right at home. After the dust (or should we say snow) cleared, 6 game misconducts were handed out: 3 Aces, and 3 Grizzlies, Galbraith, Hand, and Romano. We're not even going to touch the rest of the list of penalties. Just read the gamesheet.

End of second. 3-2, Grizzlies.


THIRD PERIOD

The dreaded final 20 minutes. If you're a Grizzlies fan, you've come to hate this final period. Tonight wasn't much different; the Aces' knew which buttons to push with that end of 2nd brawl. The boys came out with a lot more fight and puck control than they have in a long time, but it wasn't enough. Unfortunate. Aces complete their tally of 5 unanswered goals during this period.

Game.
5-3, Aces.


Ryan Kinasewich is 3rd star of the game.


One more chance to get it right (during this trip).

Go Grizzlies!

Weekend Preview 1/8/10 - Utah vs. Alaska

After suffering a loss at the hands of the Aces on Wednesday, the Grizzlies finish up their series this weekend with games on Friday and Saturday. We're going to chalk Wednesday's loss up to the fact that it's hard to figure out what time it really is in Alaska this time of year, due to it being dark all the time, and also that everyone travels by dog sled. Hopefully, however, the Grizzlies will adjust and make the most of these next two games.

The Grizzlies have lost eight of their last ten games, so they really need a win this weekend. Two would be even better. We haven't been able to figure out what's going on with the team. They seem lackluster at times, and even when they manage to put together a good period or two, they fizzle out in the third. Maybe they're "soff".

New guy Patrick Asselin will join the team tonight, making his debut in a Grizzlies uniform. He was in Salt Lake and expecting to wait until the team gets to Idaho to play, but with injuries to Nikiforov and Hunter, the team shipped him up to Alaska next day air. We bet that was expensive. Adrian Denny has some good information on Asselin in his game day blog post here.

In other news, the Grizzlies' Head Athletic Trainer Mike Plandowski was named to the ECHL All-Star training staff for the National Conference. Does anyone know if he gets a jersey? Because we think his name would look way cool on one. Congratulations, Mike!

Anyway, if you're looking for a place to hang out and watch the game tonight, we're offering up our mom's basement. Just kidding, and if Mom's reading this, sorry for causing a stroke. But really, you can go to Legends Pub and Grill for the Official Watch Party and find other Grizz fans to commiserate... er... enjoy the game with. Or you can catch it on the radio or B2TV networks online. And, of course, you can always listen to our buddy Adrian Denny on 1230 am. Puck drops at 9:15 pm here in Utah - it's a late one.

Go Grizzlies!

Game Day in Alaska and other Grizzlies news

Game today: Alaska Aces.

Galbraith makes his first return to Aces ice tonight with the Grizzlies since the trade on December 27, and Evan Kotsopoulos plays his first game against Utah as an Ace. Both Utah and Alaska will receive some help tonight with players returning from the AHL. Dylan Hunter will meet the Grizzlies in Alaska, and the Aces should be expecting Mike Walsh from the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins. Former Grizzlies forward Walsh was part of the recent trade with Alaska and was released from his PTO with Grand Rapids yesterday. We also heard a rumor that Bartley could make an appearance with the Grizzlies soon.

AJ Perry will stay in Utah due to illness and keep newly acquired left wing Patrick Asselin company, according to Yo's game day blog. And apparently, Tom May is the boy to watch for tonight as he scored 3 goals in 3 November games against Alaska.

On Monday, Alaska snapped Victoria's double digit winning streak in the last match of their 3 game series with the Salmon Kings. The Aces are looking for another win to build on as the Grizzlies try to stop their own recent losing streak.

While we're not looking for excuses - we definitely think the boys need to show up to play - we're wondering if the illness/flu that's been going around has affected performance at all.

Either way, it should be a good game to watch if Utah decides to play.

Don't forget to read Denny's official game day blog.


Utah Grizzlies visit St. George

The Grizzlies stopped by the grand opening of the new Dixie Igloo Ice Center in St. George on their way to Vegas last week. The new Dixie Igloo is the first ice rink to be built in St. George and was designed to meet NHL-rink regulations.

Arriving in the evening, the Grizzlies had a team skate with fans and signed autographs before continuing to Vegas.


Other News

USANA is now the Utah Grizzlies' official supplement provider. Not really interesting news, but news nonetheless. Maybe they can help with the illness going around . . .

We missed Grizzlies Live again this week. Fail.

Luck, Grizzlies!