Post Game: Salmon Kings 6, Grizzlies 5 (SO)

Grizzlies lose, but not as bad.

So the effort Colley wanted to see in this game was definitely taking shape. There was more push from the boys to keep up with the game, and we saw more of the Crowder magic with Tim's goal to tie things 2-2 at the end of the 1st. Even better, it was amazing to see Utah battle back from a 2 goal 3rd period deficit to send things past regulation. It's hard to recall when we last saw this kind of play from the Grizzlies, and we plan on holding them to more of it.

Welcome once again to Meyers and Grantham who both picked up points in their second game in Utah colors.

And special teams - ah, how we've hated you over this last stretch. We're glad to see the Grizzlies getting both their power play and their penalty kill back on track. The boys slaughtered a 4 minute shorthanded situation during the last few minutes of regulation and the beginning of overtime. Just amazing. And on the power play, Utah capitalized 3 of their 5 opportunities on the man advantage. Such an improvement from what we've grown accustomed to cursing under our breath. Keep it up, boys.

Glad to see Deeth once again making the stars of the game list - we're sure he is too.

The boys are back next weekend.

Stars of the Game -

1. VIC - C. Painchaud
2. VIC - R. Dingle
3. UTA - K. Deeth

Links -
post game || Grizzlies Fight Back To End Streak: Collect Shootout Point In Victoria
gamesheet || Utah at Victoria - 2/26/11
highlights || Game Highlights 2/26/11 at Victoria
interview || Marcus Carroll 2/26/11 intermission

Post Game: Wranglers 3, Grizzlies 2

Grizzlies lose. Again.

For a while, we were looking at the same game as before. Vegas scored early, a Utah goal waved off in the 2nd, Grizzlies with the go ahead in the 3rd . . . the main difference was the boys held on until 3 minutes left instead of 7.

Utah killed themselves with penalties. Las Vegas, who's power play currently stands at 15th in the league, went 3 for 4 against Utah's 5th ranked penalty kill. 2 of those power play goals came in the last 3 minutes of the game to snatch the win for the Wranglers. Seriously, boys - What gives with the special teams lately?

Colley did call out his team stating: “Tamio gave us a chance to win and I feel sorry for him, he just had no help in front of him.” But there we disagree. We were sitting right behind the net. We saw the amount of effort that went into getting that puck cleared after the initial stop by the goalie and saving him from making those additional rebounds that he looked like he had a snowball's chance in hell of stopping. Now, we're not discounting the massive amount of effort that we saw from Tamio. Hell, that was probably one of his best games in his career (if we can be so bold), and he deserves ever bit of recognition from his star of the game performance. But the reflexes just weren't there like we're used to seeing with Engelage (naturally), or even past goalies like Mole. But we're glad he pulled off what he did. We also recognize the massive amounts of help he had with the rebounds and covering openings. We would have liked to see a better effort on the forecheck, however, and it will be interesting to see if the Grizzlies help Tamio develop those reflexes or pick up someone new.

Here's to wins on the road.

Stars of the Game -

1. LV - B. Goers
2. UTA - S. Ferguson
3. UTA - T. Stehrenberger

Links -
post game || Nearly 7,000 and Over 300 Dogs See Vegas Win Late
gamesheet || Las Vegas at Utah - 2/19/11
highlights || Game Highlights 2/19/11 vs Las Vegas
photos || 2/19/11 - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers
interview || Kevin Colley 2/19/11 post game
interview || Brian Kilburg 2/19/11 intermission