Utah Grizzlies vs Victoria Salmon Kings Post Game 12/30/09

There was no reason the Grizzlies should have lost this game.

Both teams looked asleep on the ice; we were surprised someone was declared winner. Play was sloppy, shifts were lackluster, and Utah didn't show up until the last 6 minutes of the game. We can't even believe Kinasewich scored two goals because every time we noticed him, he was figure skating at the blue line. But he did score goals, so wooooo . . .

On paper, this looks like a pretty decent effort for the Grizzlies: Utah tallied 34 SOG to Victoria's 30, the first line finished with a +2 or higher, Kinasewich scored his two goals, and Galbraith picked up two assists in his debut with the Grizzlies. But off paper, not so much. We were actually losing interest near the end of the 1st and were already debating on where to get some apple pie after the game. Lackluster performance, indeed.

We do have to say Gannon was on his game tonight, and he played some pretty amazing shifts. He was definitely the highlight of the game for us.

Anyway, the official post game is at the Utah Grizzlies site, the gamesheet is at ECHL.com, and ours is below.

FIRST PERIOD

Gannon opens it up with his goal 7:42 in; Galbraith gets his first point with the Grizzlies and Hughes picks up the second assist. Victoria answers two minutes later to tie it on a power play.

We can't remember who went to the box or for what, so we're just going to leave the 1st period recap at that.

Pictures from the 1st.

End of first. 1-1.

SECOND PERIOD

Gannon was throwing checks like nobody's business. At 11:29 of the 2nd, Utah regains the lead on a Romano power play goal, his first in a Grizzlies jersey. Crowder and Carpentier pick up the assists on that. A minute later, Victoria squashes the Grizzlies' momentum (what little there was) with a goal of their own to tie it back up. Shortly after that, the Salmon Kings score again on the power play to take the lead at the end of the 2nd.

Pictures from the 2nd.

End of second. 3-2, Salmon Kings.

THIRD PERIOD

Kinasewich ties things up just 2:34 into the 3rd on assists from Galbraith and Maxwell. Victoria regains the lead 7 minutes later, but Snatch ties it up again, knocking in a loose puck in front of the net. Perry picks up an assist on that which extended his scoring streak. But Victoria gets one more just before the 15 minute mark of the period, and Utah is unable to push it into overtime. Hughes gets a game misconduct penalty at the end of the game - WTF? We missed it.

Pictures from the 3rd.

Game.

5-4, Salmon Kings.