The only reason the Grizzlies stayed in this game is because James Sixsmith makes things happen. The boys need to pick it up if they want to stay in the playoffs past Sunday.Las Vegas took over the 1st period of play, scoring 3 goals this round to end the period 3-0 in their favor. The Grizzlies exchanged goalies at the end of the period with Morrison taking over for Koskinen in net. The Wranglers increased their lead to 4-0 at the beginning of the 2nd period, but Utah responded with a gorgeous goal from Matt Sorteberg to get the Grizzlies on the scoreboard for the first time in the game. The Grizzlies picked up another goal with a shorthanded effort from Sixsmith and Kinasewich to decrease the deficit, 4-2. About a minute after Vegas decided to maul Sixsmith after the whistle (we missed why), and the boys dove in for a seriously awesome line brawl. However, Las Vegas responded before the end of the period on the power play to regain a 3 goal lead.
Utah struck 0:34 into the 3rd with another Kinasewich goal, but the Wranglers responded with one of their own to end the game 6-3 in their favor.
From the official post game:
The Las Vegas Wranglers defeated the Utah Grizzlies 6-3 Saturday night at the E-Center to take a two games to one lead in this best-of-five first round playoff series. Game four of the series is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Sunday at the E-Center. [utahgrizzlies.com]
post game || Grizzlies Fall 6-3; Wranglers Take Two-One Series Lead
highlights || Game Highlights 4/10/10 vs Las Vegas
gamesheet || Las Vegas at Utah - 4/10/10
photos || 4/10/10 - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers
interview || Peter Vandermeer 4/10/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog
Photo of the Game:
1st period - James Sixsmith puts on the brakes to follow the puck.Additional Photos: [Flickr]
Scoring Summary:
LV A. Miller (1), 11:24 1st period (Lukacevic, Goers); Wranglers 1, Grizzlies 0
LV J. Prudden (2), 15:42 1st period (Lukacevic, Krischuk); Wranglers 2, Grizzlies 0
LV C. Neiszner (2), 19:16 1st period (Bourret, Lawrence); Wranglers 3, Grizzlies 0
LV N. Lukacevic (1), 4:47 2nd period; Wranglers 4, Grizzlies 0
UTA M. Sorteberg (1), 8:15 2nd period (MacMillan, Perry); Wranglers 4, Grizzlies 1
UTA R. Kinasewich (1), 10:27 2nd period (Sixsmith, Kilburg); Wranglers 4, Grizzlies 2
LV N. Lukacevic (2), 19:48 2nd period (Miller, Switzer); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 2
UTA R. Kinasewich (2), 0:34 3rd period (Sixsmith, Galbraith); Wranglers 5, Grizzlies 3
LV A. Bourret (2), 5:15 3rd period (Madill, Lawrence); Wranglers 6, Grizzlies 3
What Worked Well: Sixsmith to Kinasewich
We've said before that Sixsmith can make just about any line work, but the two goals tonight were set up beautifully by James Sixsmith and executed perfectly by Captain Kinasewich. Vegas didn't even see it coming. We expect to see these two on the same line tomorrow as well.
What Could Have Worked Better: Goaltending
Not the greatest game for goaltending. While things were cleaned up a bit in the 3rd, Koskinen allowed 3 out of 8 before getting pulled and Morrison did slightly better, allowing 3 out of 18. The boys definitely could have used a stronger defense, but neither netminder seemed on top of their game tonight.
Who Made the Difference: Ryan Kinasewich
We figured by now that James Sixsmith is just a given factor in the Grizzlies' success each night. However, we'd been waiting to see a game from Kinasewich. Tonight was the night. Picking up two Sixsmith assisted goals, a team leading 6 SOG, and the 3rd star of the game, Ryan boosted his playoff stats to 3 points in 3 games.
Stars of the Game:
1. LV - N. Lukacevic
2. LV - A. Bourret
3. UTA - R. Kinasewich
Additional Notes:
> Ryan Kinasewich (2g) and James Sixsmith (2a) were the only Grizzlies to have multiple point games tonight.
> Something we noticed: Kinasewich had two Wranglers on him the entire game, particularly on the power play. This means we're going to need to see something from the other lines pronto.
> We have several clips of the 2nd period line brawl, but we need to edit it together before we post it.
> Also: Thank You, Matt Sorteberg.
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