Game 1: Steelheads 7, Grizzlies 2

Against a team like Idaho, the Grizzlies just can't bank on that miracle 3rd period we've become accustomed to in the last half of the season.

The Steelheads picked up the first two goals of the game at 13:02 and 13:55 in the 1st. Utah responded before the end of the period with a goal of their own, 2-1. In the 2nd, Idaho struck at 13:02 again with another goal, then increased the deficit on the power play before the Grizzlies scored a power play goal of their own to make it 4-2 heading into the 3rd period.

In the 3rd period, Idaho scored 3 goals in approximately 1 1/2 minutes, which resulted in Morrison being replaced in net with Stehrenberger who stopped all 10 shots he saw. Utah struggled to close the 5 goal gap but to no avail. The game ended 7-2 in Idaho's favor.

From the official post game:

The Idaho Steelheads broke open a 4-2 third period score and defeated the Utah Grizzlies 7-2 Friday night in Boise in game one of the National Conference semifinals. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Grizzlies Drop Game One In Boise
highlights || Game Highlights 4/16/10 at Idaho
gamesheet || Utah at Idaho - 04/16/10
interview || Brock Wilson 4/16/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Scoring Summary:

IDH M. McKnight (1), 13:02 1st period (Tousignant); Steelheads 1, Grizzlies 0
IDH M. McCutcheon (1), 13:55 1st period (Flichel, Milnamow); Steelheads 2, Grizzlies 0
UTA M. MacMillan (2), 18:06 1st period (Clarke, May); Steelheads 2, Grizzlies 1
IDH J. Swanson (1), 13:02 2nd period (Dickson); Steelheads 3, Grizzlies 1
IDH M. McCutcheon (2), 15:29 2nd period (Barlow); Steelheads 4, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (6), 19:31 2nd period (Hunter, Sixsmith); Steelheads 4, Grizzlies 2
IDH E. Barlow (1), 5:54 3rd period (Dawson); Steelheads 5, Grizzlies 2
IDH M. McKnight (2), 6:35 3rd period (DeVergilio); Steelheads 6, Grizzlies 2
IDH J. Dickson (1), 7:27 3rd period (Flichel); Steelheads 7, Grizzlies 2


What Worked Well: Penalty Kill
The penalty kill was one of the only times the Grizzlies looked alive on the ice during this match. Killing a 5-on-3 and only dropping 1 out of 8, the PK put up some amazing defense to kill off the shorthanded situations Utah continually found themselves in. If Utah had this sort of determination during 5-on-5 situations, this would have been a different game.

What Could Have Worked Better: Staying out of the box
The high penalty count seems to be happening on a pretty regular basis. We don't like it. It takes the boys away from the business of scoring goals and leaves them - for the most part - stuck in their own end. Clean it up, please.

Who Made the Difference: Mike Morrison
While Mike did get pulled in the 3rd, we're guessing it was not soley because of the 7 goals, but to give the poor kid a rest. Morrison stood on his head in the match and made plenty of amazing saves. He's the reason the score was only 4-2 going into the 3rd and considering some of those saves, we're honestly surprised there were only 7 goals allowed rather than 14.


Stars of the Game:

1. IDH - M. McCutcheon
2. IDH - M. McKnight
3. IDH - M. Tousignant


Additional Notes:

> Mike Morrison stopped 35 out or 42 in the match. Stehrenberger stopped 10 of 10 that he saw.
> We really can't think of any additional notes here . . .