Post Game: Grizzlies 4, Thunder 3 (SO)

Kinasewich is back. With a game-tying goal and a game winner, how can we not declare him the reigning champ?

Stockton took the lead 10:06 into the 1st on the power play, after their goalie was injured and replaced with Sorochan. But the Grizzlies were not to be deterred and after a Galbraith punch-in-the-face special, the boys responded with a power play goal of their own from Tom May. Utah then grabbed the lead with Kinsewich's first of the night before the end of the period, 2-1. Both teams weren't able to light the lamp in the second, though Stockton tallyed 14 SOG to Utah's 12. In the 3rd, Stockton picked up two goals to take the lead before Kinasewich picked up one more to tie it with just 3 minutes left in regulation.

After a scoreless overtime, the teams went to a shootout where Kinasewich picked up the the win on the shoulders of Vlady and Perry - and of course, Mitch O'Keefe.

From the official post game:

The Utah Grizzlies (28-25-3-5) defeated the Stockton Thunder 4-3 in a shootout Sunday afternoon at the E-Center to collect five of a possible six standings points in the weekend three-game series. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Grizzlies Take out Stockton in 4-3 Shootout
highlights || Game Highlights 3/14/10 vs Stockton
gamesheet || Stockton at Utah - 3/14/10
photos || 3/14/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Stockton Thunder
video || UtahGrizzBlog's YouTube Channel
interview || Kevin Colley 3/14/10 post game
interview || Ryan Kinasewich 3/14/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Photo of the Game:

3rd period - Coach Colley is pissed; the boys look equally ashamed.

Additional Photos: [Flickr]



Video: [YouTube]

Lance Galbraith vs Garet Hunt.

Steve McJannet vs Riley Emmerson.

Ryan Kinasewich shootout goal.

Scoring Summary:

STK C. Hemingway (22), 10:06 1st period (Eizenman, Dacosta); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 0
UTA T. May (19), 14:09 1st period (Aston, Nikiforov); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (37), 17:33 1st period (Crowder, Hunter); Thunder 1, Grizzlies 2
STK K. Czuy (5), 5:14 3rd period (Gongalsky, Hunt); Thunder 2, Grizzlies 2
STK C. D'Alvise (26), 8:54 3rd period (Constant, Bates); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 2
UTA R. Kinasewich (38), 3rd period (Aston, Hunter); Thunder 3, Grizzlies 3

UTA (SO) R. Kinasewich, Thunder 3, Grizzlies 4


What Worked Well: Penalty Kill
While there were less penalties, we just saw an improvement in the penalty kill from the previous night. The boys were willing to make more sacrifices and had an easier time clearing the puck.

What Could Have Been Better: 3rd period
When the Grizzlies stepped onto the ice in the 3rd, they looked like fail, allowing two Stockton goals before Colley cussed them out properly. We've generally noticed a push in the final 20 as of late, so it was definitely a disappointing change. Glad to see Colley get the boys back on track.

Who Made the Difference: Ryan Kinasewich
2 goals in regulation, including a tying goal that sent things into overtime and the game-winning shootout goal - we really couldn't pick anyone else as our difference maker for this game, though we want to give props to Mitch O'Keefe for his performance. We're excited to see Kinasewich is back. Keep it up, Captain!


Stars of the Game:

1. UTA - R. Kinasewich
2. UTA - D. Hunter
3. STK - K. Czuy


Additional Notes:

> Three Grizzlies had multiple points in the match: Ryan Kinasewich (2g), Dylan Hunter (2a), and Peter Aston (2a).
> James Sixsmith's scoring streak of 13 games was snapped - damn!
> Mitch O'Keefe stopped 36 out of 39 shots in regulation and overtime, then stopped 3 of 5 in the shootout.
> Since Perry was a little too stealthy for us (you'll see what we mean), we've opted to post his shootout goal here and not on YouTube.