Post Game: Wranglers 8, Grizzlies 5

After a week of practice on home ice and two losses behind them, the Grizzlies were after a much needed victory in front of 10,000 fans. The crowd was definitely ready for a win during Pack the House night, and the boys wanted to deliver.

Las Vegas started the scoring 2:34 into the game, then tallied 3 additional goals for a 4-0 lead before Kinasewich put Utah on the board to end the 1st at 4-1. O'Keefe was injured at 4:54 in the 2nd period and replaced by Erickson. 5 minutes later, The Wranglers tacked on another goal, 5-1. However, the Grizzlies were able to regroup after an energizing Rycroft shift adding three goals of their own to make it 5-4, narrowing the Wranglers' lead to one. Vegas responded by grabbing a quick goal with under a minute left in the 2nd, ending the period 6-4 in their favor.

The Grizzlies battled back tallying 28 SOG in the 3rd alone, but the Wranglers were first to light the lamp in the final period. Kinasewich found the back of the net for Utah for his 3rd hat trick of the year at 17:48 of the 3rd, but Vegas picked up an empty netter to seal the deal, 8-5.

From the official post game:

A seven-year high of 10,020 fans at the E-Center saw Ryan Kinasewich’s third hat trick of the year and a season-high 55 Utah shots on net in an 8-5 loss to Las Vegas Friday night. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || 10,020 Watch Grizzlies Fall in Wild One
highlights || Game Highlights 1/29/10 vs Las Vegas (audio)
gamesheet || Las Vegas at Utah 1/29/10
interview || Kevin Colley post game 1/29/10 (audio)
interview || Travis Rycroft intermission 1/29/10 (audio)
photos || 1/29/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog

Photo of the Game:

Additional Game Photos: [Flickr]




Scoring Summary:

LV J. Hazelwood (6), 2:34 1st period (Neiszner); Wranglers 1, Grizzlies 0
LV A. Miller (13), 8:20 1st period (Switzer, Lukacevic); Wranglers 2, Grizzlies 0
LV M. Lawrence (13), 10:22 1st period (Switzer, Prudden); Wranglers 3, Grizzlies 0
LV A. Orpik (5), 12:51 1st period (Hazelwood, Neiszner); Wranglers 4, Grizzlies 0
UTA R. Kinasewich (29), 16:51 1st period (Perry, Hunter); Wranglers 4, Grizzlies 1
LV J. Hazelwood (7), 10:10 2nd period (Neiszner, Orpik); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (30), 12:39 2nd period (Aston, Perry); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 2
UTA P. Aston (1), 14:02 2nd period (Nikiforov, Galbraith); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 3
UTA T. Crowder (7), 18:16 2nd period (Parnham, Galbraith); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 4
LV A. Orpik (6), 19:07 2nd period (Krischuk); Wranglers 6, Grizzlies 4
LV J. Prudden (6), 7:09 3rd period (Lawrence); Wranglers 7, Grizzlies 4
UTA R. Kinasewich (31), 17:48 3rd period (Perry, Galbraith); Wranglers 7, Grizzlies 5
LV M. Lawrence (14), EN 18:51 3rd period (Hagel, Prudden); Wranglers 8, Grizzlies 5


What We Think Worked Well: Offense
5 goals, 10 assists, 55 SOG, a Kinasewich hat trick - need we say more?

What Could Have Worked Better: Defense
8 goals allowed, 37 SOG, -15 for the team overall - need we say more?

Who Made the Difference: Ryan Kinasewich
Both Tim Maxwell with his constant drive toward the offensive zone and Travis Rycroft with his energizing shifts made our list for difference maker. But we really can't deny the effect that Captain Kinasewich had on this game. Leading the team with 12 SOG and scoring 3 of the 5 Utah goals for his 3rd hat trick of the year, Snatch's star of the game performance was just what the Grizzlies needed to stay competitive in this offensive-minded showdown. Not to mention that he settled an ongoing bet regarding his defensive contribution between the staff here at UGB by slamming a Wrangler into the boards right in front of us. A great night for Ryan Kinasewich.


Stars of the Game:

1. LV - J. Hazelwood
2. LV - A. Orpik
3. UTA - R. Kinasewich


Additional Notes:

> Ryan Kinasewich earned his 3rd hat trick of the season, scoring a goal in every period.
> Four Grizzlies had multipoint nights in this high scoring game: AJ Perry (3 assists), Lance Galbraith (3 assists), Peter Aston (1 goal, 1 assist), and Ryan Kinasewich (3 goals).
> Former Captain Travis Rycroft rejoined the Grizzlies roster for the weekend.
> Brett Parnham tallied 1 assist and 8 SOG in this contest, second only to the Captain's 12.

Grizzlies Media Day: News, Glam, and Other Updates

Ryan Kinasewich’s first star, record-breaking performance on Saturday earned him a spot on the cover of GQ (Grizzlies Quarterly):

Okay, we made it up. There is no Grizzlies Quarterly. But again, we'd like to say congrats to Kinasewich for his accomplishment. And apparently photoshopping the hell out of Snatch's picture is our way to do so.

In other news, Vlady was interviewed for the Deseret News. Vlady talks about his hockey influences, playing in the AHL, and the Kelly Cup.

Also, Yo's interview of former Grizzlies' captain Travis Rycroft is available in the podcast center. Sounds like he's going to be around for a while. Nice!

No official news on Hunter's injury yet. Hunter actually said what had happened at the Pink in the Rink auction, but we didn't quite catch it. If anyone did, feel free to update us! If we find out anything else, we'll post it.

The Utah Grizzlies' site has an update/review of the week posted. Check it out.

If you want to see highlights from the Grizzlies' game with Idaho, check them out at Idaho's site. They have an awesome clip of Pavli's fight up.

That's all for now.

Go Grizzlies!

Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads Post Game: 10-23-09

Well.
Can we really say anything that hasn't already been said?

You can read the official post game summary at the Utah Grizzlies site. And also here's the gamesheet online at the ECHL.com site. Our post game summary is below.

PreGame Introductions:

We realized early on that someone had forgotten the camera. Unprepared.





So we decided to do some illustrations. They will be included in the post as well as some camera phone pictures. The Grizzlies introduced the whole team who was escorted onto the ice by . . . well, we were a little late, so we weren't entirely sure. But it was adorable. Joni cried a little when she saw someone dressed in #15.

Travis Rycroft came out to drop the first puck at home for the Grizzlies. Very cool.
We're reminded that if Kinasewich scores then he will be the leading goal scorer in Grizzlies' history. Pressure, anyone?


FIRST PERIOD:

Grizzlies come out looking a little shaky but determined.
A few passes are confused, play gets rough in the Grizzlies zone.
Some ISH player falls randomly.

Snatch gets a penalty for hooking early in the 1st.
Idaho capitalizes on the power play, 1-0.
Snatch does the skate of shame.

Perry checks a ref.
There was much rejoicing.

Grizzlies get a power play chance late in the 1st.
Can't seem to get anything done.

Then Bartley goes to the box for Interference. What bull.
The boys work some PK magic and kill it.

Then, Gannon lets one fly.
With 6 seconds left in the 1st period, he ties it up.
We don't think anyone saw that coming.


Sweet. Points to Sixsmith and Hunter for the assists.

End of first. 1-1.


First Intermission: A lady rolls a tire to win something.
We meet up with Ashley. There's a Zamboni . . . we can't remember anything else about this . . .

SECOND PERIOD:

Grizzlies come out looking to play but soon lose their momentum.
Damnit.

Grizzlies get a power play opportunity, but can't capitalize.
They spend most of the time down in their own zone.

Joni almost has a stroke over a close call in Grizzlies territory.

Then, Guthrie fakes the goalie out and taps the puck in. Very nice move. Guthrie has now scored a goal in every game so far this year.

Points go to Clarke and Sixsmith on the assists.

Guthrie goes to the box for high sticking.
Idaho can't capitalize.

Then:
Idaho scores.
Two minutes later, Idaho scores again.
3-2.

Late in the 2nd, Pavli turns on the charm and goes to the box for roughing.
Fisticuffs in front of the net.

Awesome. Thank you, Pavli.

Pavli's joined later by Gannon who's called for slashing. Whatevs.

End of second. 3-2, Idaho.


Second Intermission: . . . um? We think there was some sort of foot hockey match during this . . . maybe? And Brighton Hockey was there:

THIRD PERIOD:

Grizzlies still aren't consistent in this period, but they're actually starting to concentrate on playing.
They should have looked like this in the 1st.

Friesen serves for hooking early in the 3rd.

Killed.

Pavli does another tour for roughing . . . and was pissed about it.

Killed.

Pavli released:

The last 1:20 of the 3rd period was the most exciting play of the night.
Colley called a time out; Grizzlies pulled their goalie and went after the ISH net.
Unfortunately, the boys couldn't tie it up.

Some Idaho schmuck takes a penalty with 3 seconds left in the 3rd and ruins the boys' momentum.
Kinasewich was pissed off.

Game.
3-2, Idaho.

Grizzlies' Stars of the Game:
2. Sixsmith, who had an assist on both goals for a 2 point game
3. Guthrie, who had an exceptionally sweet goal


NOTES:

We were really excited to see Kotsy return, but . . . we barely noticed him when he was on the ice, even though he was in the starting line. Yesterday in his blog, Yo confirmed our predictions that Kotsopoulos would bring a physical presence to the ice. But other than a bit of lip and a breakaway, we didn't see much. So, Kotsy, what's up?

Pavli brought it, but we think the team is used to him doing that. So when he does they just kind of sit back and watch. We want both Kotsy and Pavli to bring it.

For fun (because it is the first of the season after all), we decided to make some fantasy lines while waiting for food at the IHOP. We didn't get very far because Troy, our server, ROCKS.

Keep in mind we have no true idea of what we're talking about, but here's what we'd like to see:

Perry - Kinasewich - Guthrie
We love the Perry - Kinasewich connection. Last night, Perry was invisible until he picked up the puck. That kid has +3 stealth or something. He had no problem getting the puck to Kinasewich for the shot. Adding Guthrie gives Perry someone else to get that puck to. With a strong defensive line, we predict magic.

Sixsmith - Vlady - May (?)
We were unsure of who else we'd put on this line, but both Sixsmith and Vlady have speed and are able to connect on each others passes not to mention the ability to score goals. We think May could keep up if he worked on being consistant. However, we're not familiar enough with our n00bs yet to fill out the rest of this line. Vlady and Dale seem to work well together, so that could be an option in the future.

We also thought of putting Pavli and Kotsy on a line together, but we couldn't think of who else would fill that out and pick up any slack. Perhaps a Pavli-Kotsy-Kinasewich/Sixsmith line would work? Like we said, we didn't get very far before our food came.

We ran into the guy with the tights after the game at the IHOP. We got his picture.

This is a check at sometime in the game:

That's all for this edition.

Pink in the Rink tonight . . .

Go Grizzlies!