Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Las Vegas Wranglers

It's off to Nevada for the Grizzlies this weekend. They play two games against the Wranglers, who have been at home for a while. They've lost their last two - one against Bakersfield and one against Alaska - and they'll be looking to improve their record.

*Somewhat off the subject - can anyone tell us what the Wranglers' mascot, Duke, is supposed to be? We can't figure it out.

Even though the Grizzlies had what we would call a successful trip in Idaho, they were pushed from the top spot in the division down to third. With only four teams in the Mountain division (Victoria, Alaska, Utah, and Idaho) that had us worried. Then we realized that the Grizzlies still had more points than all four teams in the Pacific division (Bakersfield, Stockton, Ontario, and Las Vegas) and decided that third in the Western Conference was okay. The ECHL has changed things up on us a bit this season.

Las Vegas, in fact, is currently last in the Western Conference, with only four points. We'd like to think this means they're an easy team to beat, and the Grizzlies will come away with all four points available this weekend, but we've been around long enough to know better. If there's anything we've learned about hockey, it's that you can never let your guard down. As soon as you think you're safe and start coasting, somebody is going to run over you with a zamboni, break both your goalie's legs, and steal the cupcake out of your lunch box. (Examples - last place New Jersey takes down Stanley Cup Champion Chicago with half their team on the IR, Sidney Crosby beats up Matt Niskanen, last season's Grizzlies team in the 3rd period.) The truth is being at the bottom will only make them more dangerous. Just because they're all the way down there doesn't mean they can't come out and really put the skunk on a team. And we all know how that smells.

We're not too worried about the Grizzlies getting skunked because (and we keep saying this, but it's true) they have shown a great work ethic so far this season. Of course we'd like to see them get all four points before they head to Bakersfield next week, but we admit we're greedy. (We think Coach Colley might be too.) One area they will need to focus on, however, is their power play. We're not saying this because of the Grizzlies' record on the power play - Las Vegas has not let in a power play goal yet this season. Their penalty kill is at 100%. That's pretty impressive.

Both Friday and Saturday games will be broadcast on KFAN 1230 AM, with pre-game shows beginning at 7:35 pm and puck drop at 8:05 pm. You can also watch on B2 Networks online - all ECHL games are available pay per view.

If the Grizzlies get four points, Vegas stays at four points. Destroy their penalty kill record, boys.