Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers and Ontario Reign

No, they're not playing both teams at the same time, although we'd totally be up for 3-way hockey. Don't know where they'd put the extra net though...

The Grizzlies play Las Vegas on Thursday night, and then go two games with Ontario Friday and Saturday. And believe it or not, they're playing in the Maverik Center. Yes, we do actually have a team IN Salt Lake City, not just FROM Salt Lake City.

Unfortunately, the Grizzlies haven't had the best record on home ice so far this season. The good news there is that they haven't played many home games yet - in fact, only four - so they still have a lot of time to improve that record.

We can't complain about their record on the road so far. Much has been made about the recent road trip in which the Grizzlies went 4-0, playing those 4 games in 5 nights. Utah has won 6 of its last 10 games, and 7 of its last 10 road games. That top spot in the Western Conference is giving them a good view of their two weekend challengers - Las Vegas and Ontario - which may give them a little boost going into these next three games. We don't want them getting overconfident though. We mentioned before that we liked what Coach Mendelson during Grizzlies Live on Tuesday night: "By yourself you can look at the standings and smile, but as a team you need ot keep a clear mindset each night." In other words, just because they're on top right now doesn't mean they don't have to work hard every shift. Like Brian Burke says, "The minute you think you know all the answers you start falling behind." And since we're quoting people, "Keep the lead on the gas, Grizzlies!" (Okay, so we said that ourselves. It's still a quote.)

As fans, we're just focusing on enjoying this great run. We get to see our team in action live for the next three days, and we're really hoping the streak continues. We won't be seeing Ric Jackman, as he's off to Europe, but we'll get to see the debut of the 'Burgs - Matt Sorteberg and Brian Kilburg will be in the line up for the first time this season on Thursday. Looking forward to seeing those two back in action. Oh, and best of luck to Jackman in Europe!

The Wranglers have had some good winning streaks going recently, including a 4 game winning stretch in November that was only broken by a 7-1 schooling at the hands of Bakersfield. They learned something in that school because they then won three of their next four, the last game being a shootout loss to Ontario. (Did we mention the Grizzlies have won FOUR of their last four? Just checking.) Vegas will be a tough team for the Grizz to take on starting their weekend.

Ontario, on the other hand, has lost 6 of their last 10, including the game against Utah last Sunday. They're currently at the bottom of the Conference, which is all the more motivation for them to beat the team at the top. Hockey is a funny thing - just when you might think you've got an easy win coming your way, the hockey gods eat your lunch right in front of you. We'd rather not say anything that might get our lunch stolen. We kind of like eating.

Speaking of eating, if you haven't heard already, the Grizzlies are offering all kinds of ridiculous deals on concessions this weekend. You can probably double the amount of food you ate over Thanksgiving for a fourth of the price. And if you're feeling a little paunchy by Saturday, stop in to the team store and pick up a Grizzlies jersey to go with your fat pants. It's remarkable what those things can hide.

Three games, three nights, two opponents, and one spot at the top of the Western Conference. It all starts tonight at 7:05 pm.

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

Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Bakersfield Condors

And now, we bring you... the Maverik Center.

Okay, so it's been around a while now, but for Grizzlies fans, this will be the first hockey game played in the newly-named arena. We're guessing it will be pretty much the same as the old E Center, but we're still excited. Mainly just for hockey. It has been way too long.

The name of the arena isn't the only thing that has changed for the Grizzlies, and we're really excited to get a good look at the new team on home ice. This weekend will be our only chance for a while too, because the Grizz take off for 8 straight road games come next week. So if you're starved for hockey like we are, you'd better get down to the ice Friday and Saturday.

The Grizzlies face the Bakersfield Condors for their home opener. The Condors have only played one game against Las Vegas so far this season, which was a 3-4 loss, so they're looking for their first win. The Grizzlies have not lost in regulation yet, and hope to continue that streak in front of their home fans.

There is a lot of optimism about this year's team, especially from Head Coach Kevin Colley. In an interview with Deseret News's Dan Rasmussen he said, "Our back end should be just as good, if not better, than anybody else in the Western Conference." We're not going to comment on anyone's back end, but we do like what we've heard about how hard this team works. We saw it ourselves in training camp. Finally we get a home game to see how it all works together on ice.

The Grizz do have a lot of guys returning this season, but among the newcomers are previous ECHL Goaltender of the Year J. P. Lamoureux, and Stanley Cup winning defenseman Ric Jackman. (Read a little about Jackman's day with the Cup here.) They've also got a new assistant coach behind the bench - Leigh Mendelson. Welcome to all the newbies, and welcome back to all our guys from last season!

Don't forget - this Saturday is the annual Pink in the Rink promotion, where the guys wear pink jerseys in support of the fight against breast cancer, and the jerseys are auctioned off after the game. They also turn the ice pink, which makes it look kind of like the leftover milk after eating a bowl of Frankenberry cereal.

Home opener tonight - puck drops at 7:05 pm. See you there.

Grizzlies News 10/19/10

The biggest headline of the day is the return of Ric Jackman to the Grizzlies line up. He was part of Anaheim's Stanley Cup winning team in 2006-2007, and previously played for the Grizzlies in 2000-2001.



Remember the "Pink in the Rink" game is this Saturday. The pink jerseys will be auctioned off live after the game. That link also has some fun info about the games this last weekend, including Brad Snetsinger being in a tie for second for points. Yes, it's early in the season to be bragging, but here's to hoping!