Game 2: Salmon Kings 4, Grizzlies 2

Really, Utah? THIS is your playoff hockey?

To say this game was a disappointment would be a vast understatement. The Grizzlies didn't look like they knew how to pass, were looking at the bench more than they were the puck, and were fighting among each other in the 2nd. Yeah. We saw that, Utah. The whole game left us with the distinct taste of "WTF?" in our mouths.

Our two highlights? Nick Tuzzolino's goal and Shea Guthrie taking the puck to the net late in the 3rd followed by McIlveen picking up the rebound. We were mostly shocked to see anyone picking up a rebound, let alone having a beautiful SOG result from it. Actually, Carroll's goal was a thing of beauty as well. Thumbs up for these 10 seconds of the game.

Other than that, pure crap in our book. And while we're more disgusted with Utah, the Salmon Kings didn't look so hot either. How on earth do you miss a two-on-none with an empty net, Victoria? At least you made us laugh . . .

Boo to the uncalled elbow on Donovan. Like we said: a distinct taste of WTF?

Nice job staying out of the box, Grizzlies. But we really don't think anyone cared enough to commit any penalties.

Utah - knock off this bullshit. Get your heads in the game, focus on your 15 wins, and take care of business. Stop underachieving and have some damn pride.


Here's to a road sweep.

Stars of the Game -

1. VIC - C. Painchaud
2. UTA - M. Carroll
3. VIC - R. Hennigar

Links -
post game || Victoria Takes 2-0 Series Lead With 4-2 Win
gamesheet || Victoria at Utah - 4/16/11
highlights || Game Highlights 4/16/11 vs Victoria
interview || Kevin Colley 4/16/11 post game
interview || Chris Donovan 4/16/11 intermission

Post Game: Grizzlies 2, Condors 1 (SO)

Welcome back, J.P.!

While we really don't blame Engelage for the losing streak lately (even if you have a good goalie, you still have to play in front of him), having Lamoureux back in net definitely gave the boys a boost. J.P. stopped 44 of the 45 shots he saw with style. And his work in the shutout was perfect. With the Grizzlies tallying only 17 shots on goal in the entire contest and allowing almost 3 times as many, it's undeniable that Lamoureux saved the day.

Also, assists on Matt Clarke's goal? New guy Reber and Lamoureux. Very nice.

Thumbs up to Paul McIlveen on the only shootout goal of the contest. Sweet shot . . . and that's really all we have to say about that.

On to the playoffs.

Stars of the Game -

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

Links -
post game || J.P. Lamoureux Leads Utah To 2-1 Shootout Win
gamesheet || Bakersfield at Utah - 4/2/11
highlights || Game Highlights 4/2/11 vs Bakersfield
interview || Leigh Mendleson 4/2/11 post game
interview || Matt Reber 4/2/11 intermission

A loss, a win, a dirty hit

Here is a quick weekend recap: The Grizzlies played Friday and Saturday at Victoria. Friday night's game seemed to be a failure of special teams: they allowed Victoria a shorthanded and two power play goals before scoring two goals of their own. Then two more penalties and an empty net goal came. The goaltender, Engelage, did not allow any even-strength goals.

Saturday night the Grizzlies surged back, winning 3-2 in overtime. They fell behind by two goals, but then Simon Ferguson scored a power play goal, followed by a short-handed goal. Paul McIlveen won the game in OT. Utah is in 6th place overall for the conference.

There is a home game this Wednesday against Las Vegas, then the team is away again for the weekend, playing in Alaska.

The big news in the hockey world today is the 14 game (at least) suspension of Pittsburgh Penguins' defenseman, Matt Cooke. He is suspended the rest of the season and the first round of the playoffs.

"Mr. Cooke, a repeat offender, directly and unnecessarily targeted the head of an opponent who was in an unsuspecting and vulnerable position. This isn't the first time this season that we have had to address dangerous behavior on the ice by Mr. Cooke, and his conduct requires an appropriately harsh response." --Colin Campbell

The coach, GM, and some teammates all seem to agree with the suspension.

The hit:

Cap Wars: Goalies, Forwards, and fun with ECHL trades

Earlier this week, the Grizzlies made a few changes to their roster. We saw Paul and Tim Crowder traded for Wheeling's David Marshall, goalie Tyler Sims signing with Utah, Paul McIlveen completing the Dylan Hunter trade, and now joining the team - Shane Connelly. But with forwards Marshall in the AHL and McIlveen now suspended (we're assuming this means Europe for Paul as he played there last season), what did Utah end up with out of all this wheeling and dealing?


Well, two goalies - which is exactly what the Grizzlies were looking for. Rumor has it, the trade of the Crowder boys was mainly to free up money in the Grizzlies' salary cap so they could have bargaining power in finding new netminders, which is where Utah has been hurting lately. With defensemen able to step up into the offensive stratum if needed, missing four (Crowder, Crowder, Marshall, McIlveen) forwards may not make Colley as uneasy as going without the solid help in net the Grizzlies have relied on all season.

Of course, this is all just our speculation. But from some of these post game interviews, we get the impression that Colley is looking to his boys to start burying pucks on their opportunities, rather than looking for someone new to take on that role.

Let's take a look at the new goalie Shane Connelly. So far this season, Shane's played in games with 3 different ECHL teams (Utah will be his 4th), and for all statistical accounts he looks like a solid backup goalie to Tyler Sims. With the Devils, he comes to the Grizzlies with a 0.883 save percentage and 3.45 GAA. We found this awesome save from his college days to show you what this kid is made of:


Very nice.

We're interested to see which of the two goaltenders Colley decides to go with in net this Friday. Welcome, Shane!

Welcome to the New Guy

Welcome to the team, Paul McIlveen. The Grizzlies acquired him today from the Cincinnati Cyclones, completing and earlier trade. Sounds like he brings a lot of experience, especially in the play off circuit. He joins the team just in time to start an intense March, at least when compared to February. The Grizz will play double the games: 14 in 27 nights compared to 7 in 26.

Tomorrow at Chili's is Grizzlies Live. Ryley Grantham and Josh Meyers are the chosen players for this round (makes sense since they are the newbies). They each had one point in Saturday's game. You can join them, or listen on 1230 KFAN-2. Points to anyone who is creative and can put a rhyme in there somewhere.

Here is Monday night's tear-jerker story about a little boy and a jersey. It is nice to know that good people are everywhere. (Story and jersey kind of rhyme, more of an off rhyme)