Post Game: Aces 4, Grizzlies 0

Grizzlies get shut out.

A great game by the Aces. We were hoping Utah would try to make it tough for Alaska, but they didn't really bother to show up. The Grizzlies did go into this one shorthanded with McIlveen, May, and Kilburg out of the line up; however, they still had Ferguson, Carpentier, and Carroll (to name a few) who we expected to produce.

We tried to watch for the new defensemen, but they were mostly nondescript. We're wondering if they're still getting used to the Utah system.

Sorteberg seemed to stand out on defense; we were amazed he ended the game with a -2. Parnham was great on the back end as well, making some decent blocks, and Guthrie had several runs at the net which were noteworthy. Otherwise, the team looked lackadaisical.

For the most part, the Grizzlies stayed out of the box, but the few penalties they had hurt them. Two back to back penalties in the 1st allowed Alaska to grab the lead, and a double minor late in the 3rd put Utah shorthanded for the remainder of the game, guarenteeing the Aces the shutout. while we can't really bitch about the amount of shorthanded situations, the penalties the boys took were not necessary or smart. Disappointed.

We need to give some major love to Tyler Sims, who did a great job finishing up the game and allowed only one goal on the 15 shots he saw from Alaska. Some of those saves were spectacular, as the Grizzlies play in front of the net became increasingly sloppy in the final 20. Nicely done.

Do better tonight, Utah. We don't even care if you win - just play.

Links -

post game || Grizzlies Fall In Alaska
gamesheet || Utah at Alaska - 3/25/11

Post Game: Grizzlies 3, Thunder 2 (OT)

Thank you, Utah!

The boys really rev-ed things up during the 1st. Puck control was amazing and they pulled of 20 shots on goal to Stockton's 8. There wasn't a moment where Utah looked shaky during the initial 20, which isn't quite what we expected after Saturday's game where the boys looked dead on their feet. But the boys remained on the forecheck for the most part and when they needed it, Sims stepped up to make the saves.

Going into the 3rd, we really didn't think the guys were going to pull it off. They looked exhausted; Stockton was pushing every advantage and was able to tie things up quickly. We really have to give some props to the Maverik Center for having technical difficulties with their lights. The break seemed to give Utah the push they needed to take things past regulation and get the win in OT.

Two favorites of the OT period were Nyren with his game winning goal (of course) and Parnham picking up the passes. Welcome back, Visa! Both of those guys really assisted in manufacturing the win in that crucial time, so hats off to them.

Better luck on the man advantage, boys - Utah only converted on 1 of 9 power play situations. On the upside, they only went shorthanded 3 times - nicely done.

And in case you hadn't heard: with Sunday's overtime win, the Grizzlies are in the playoffs. Couldn't have been done during a better game or a better series.

Stars of the Game -

1. UTA - G. Nyren
2. UTA - B. Parnham
3. STK - F. Clair

Links -
post game || Grizzlies Beat Stockton 3-2 In OT; Clinch Playoff Berth
gamesheet || Stockton at Utah - 3/13/11
highlights || Game Highlights 3/13/11 vs Stockton
photos || 3/13/11 - Utah Grizzlies vs Stockton Thunder
interview || Kevin Colley 3/13/11 post game
interview || Chris Donovan 3/13/11 intermission

Post Game: Thunder 5, Grizzlies 1

Grizzlies lose.

We really need to hand it to Tyler Sims for his amazing job in net. Those last two goals were harsh ones to allow - both for the team and for his save percentage, which to that point was pretty stellar. But with the Grizzlies playing the way they were in front of him, it was only a matter of time until Stockton got the upper hand.

Anything we have to say about this game, Colley said in his post game - and really it's what we've been thinking (and saying) for the past few weeks anyway. So here's a little required listening for you:

Kevin Colley 3/9/11 post game

That's all. Get things done on the weekend, Grizz.

Post Game: Grizzlies 5, Reign 1

Grizzlies win. At last.

After the 1st period brawl, the boys played down and played some good hockey. Carroll's goal seemed to spark the Grizzlies offensively, and even though Ontario picked up their only goal of the night 42 seconds after, Utah kept their heads in the game. Talk about a game to get you prepped for Stockton - we hope the boys can remember to play hockey.

We have to give some major props to Ontario's Zacharias in this game. The kid stopped 43 of 48 shots thrown his way. We also have to give some mad props to Utah for not letting up after they grabbed the lead. Utah pulled away in the 2nd with 28 SOG to Ontario's 5. They also defended that lead beautifully through the 3rd, keeping on the forecheck for the most part and tallying May's 3rd of the evening for his trick.

Keep the momentum into Stockton, boys.

Stars of the Game -

1. UTA - T. May
2. UTA - K. Deeth
3. UTA - M. Clarke

Links -
post game || Grizzlies Beat Ontario 5-1
gamesheet || Ontario at Utah - 3/5/11
highlights || Game Highlights 3/5/11 vs Ontario
photos || 3/5/11 - Utah Grizzlies vs Ontario Reign
interview || Kevin Colley 3/5/11 post game
interview || Hugo Carpentier 3/5/11 intermission

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!

New goalie: Tyler Sims

And the changes to the Grizzlies line up continue. This time it didn't involve trading (giving) away players on the roster. Today the Grizzlies signed goaltender Tyler Sims. Here is the press release (short) taken straight from the Grizzlies site:

Utah Grizzlies Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Kevin Colley announced today that the team has signed goaltender Tyler Sims.

Sims has appeared in the ECHL with Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Reading and Elmira and totaled a 2.84 goal-against-average and a .901 save percentage. This year he has backed up with Lake Erie of the AHL and played with Tulsa of the CHL. He played four years of college hockey at Providence College.

Here's a little dish on Tyler from his college days: he was born in West Berlin, Germany, and in college he became the first Friar goalie to record consecutive shutouts in back-to-back games. Does his last name sound familiar? His father, Al, spent 10 years in the NHL and was a former head coach for the San Jose Sharks. You've probably heard of them.

Guess what? Tyler fights, or did, at least once, and grabbed some serious penalty minutes in the process. How many? 27. From what dirt I can find, Tyler took offense to a hit on the team captain and started whomping on a player from the other team. That team's goaltender, Andrew Penner (no relation to Dustin, I looked) came down the ice to fight Tyler. Ah, you have to love goaltender fights. Both were ejected from the game. Want some video? Here you go. The best part? You'll know when you see it.