It's a good thing the Grizzlies have already clinched a playoff spot because their 9-2 loss in Victoria on Wednesday did nothing to help their position in the division. That's all we're going to say about that. From here, it's all about moving on.
The Grizzlies 
have two more games against Victoria this Friday and Saturday. We'd play the "if" game and go through all the scenarios that could happen if they win and get the four points, but that involves a lot more math than we like on a Friday. We'll just say that there are a lot of factors now determining where Utah will start out in the playoffs - some of which they don't have any control over - and that the 4 points available this weekend really can't hurt. More than the points, we'd like to see the team come out and really try to get themselves in the right mindset to go into the playoffs. It's been a little rough lately, and they're going to need some momentum coming down the stretch. We're just not seeing that with the 3-6-0-1 record they're sporting in their last 10.
have two more games against Victoria this Friday and Saturday. We'd play the "if" game and go through all the scenarios that could happen if they win and get the four points, but that involves a lot more math than we like on a Friday. We'll just say that there are a lot of factors now determining where Utah will start out in the playoffs - some of which they don't have any control over - and that the 4 points available this weekend really can't hurt. More than the points, we'd like to see the team come out and really try to get themselves in the right mindset to go into the playoffs. It's been a little rough lately, and they're going to need some momentum coming down the stretch. We're just not seeing that with the 3-6-0-1 record they're sporting in their last 10.If the Grizzlies need a spark right now, it may come in the return of goalie Andrew Engelage to the team. Engelage was doing a terrific job for Utah before joining the Toronto Marlies and could just be the piece they need to get back on track. If he can steal a couple, maybe th
e team can gain some confidence in their game and make a mental comeback in time for the playoffs. It's not that they lack the ability to win, they just seem to have a hard time focusing recently. They'll need that in the next few weeks, especially if they want to stretch that out to the next few months. The team is also expecting captain Simon Ferguson and Brent Gauvreau back in the lineup this weekend. Riley Emmerson has also returned from Bridgeport, but will not join the team in Victoria this weekend.
e team can gain some confidence in their game and make a mental comeback in time for the playoffs. It's not that they lack the ability to win, they just seem to have a hard time focusing recently. They'll need that in the next few weeks, especially if they want to stretch that out to the next few months. The team is also expecting captain Simon Ferguson and Brent Gauvreau back in the lineup this weekend. Riley Emmerson has also returned from Bridgeport, but will not join the team in Victoria this weekend.Before that thing on Wednesday that we're not talking about, Victoria had lost 5 in a row in series against Alaska and Bakersfield. In those 5 games, Victoria had 8 goals - 1 less than Wednesday's thing, so we figure they've used up their goal allotment for the next 6 games at least, if not the rest of their season. That said, the Grizzlies will want to keep the fish from scoring first, as Victoria's record on such occasions is 24-8-2. Another thing the Grizzlies can take advantage of is their power play - Utah ranks 2nd on the road with a 23.1% success rate. We're not suggesting they get themselves punched in the face or anything - in fact, we'd prefer no one get suspended this weekend - but taking advantage of any power play opportunities that arise would be recommended.
We're coming down to the wire. The Grizzlies have 9 games left in the regular season to get their act together. They won't have time to do it in the playoffs. Games start at 8:05 pm this weekend. You can listen on 1230 KFAN.
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