Weekend Preview - Utah Grizzlies vs Alaska Aces

The Grizzlies are on the road for a 3 game series in Alaska this weekend which could see the Aces clinch the Western Conference title. As of right now, there are a lot of things that have to take place for that to happen, but let's put it this way - the more they win, the sooner it happens. With them being 8 points ahead of the closest contender (Bakersfield), it's basically inevitable, but we're a little bit bitter about it. We think that should have been the Grizzlies' spot, so we're all for the clinch being delayed as long as possible. Of course, if the Grizzlies had been a little more bitter in the first place, maybe it WOULD have been their spot...

Moving on. Put simply, Alaska is a good team. They have won 9 of their last 10 games, and Utah has only beat them once this season. They are 30-6-1 when scoring first, and Ace Wes Goldie is on an impressive 12 game point streak right now. The Grizzlies, on the other hand have not been as impressive lately, winning only 4 of their last 10 and leading the league in penalty minutes. However, we know that Utah is also a good team when they get to their game and don't get distracted. Is it a tall order to get points out of Alaska this weekend? Yes. But it's not impossible.

As Adrian Denny points out in his game day blog, this could end up being a great goaltending battle. Andrew Engelage and Gerald Coleman have eerily similar statistics this season, right down to them both being 6'5". Coleman has more wins, but he's played 8 more games in the ECHL this season than Engelage has. Engelage has a slightly better save percentage. Coleman has a slightly lower goals against average. With so many things being close to equal, we think this will come down to who has a harder-working team playing in front of them. And maybe who is luckier. It never hurts.

When it comes right down to it, the Grizzlies just need the points more than the Aces do. We'd really like to see them come out and play like they want those points. They had a good start on Wednesday, even though they didn't come out on top in the shootout. They still gained a point, and they're currently at the 2nd spot in the division. That's definitely a spot they want to keep, as the higher up they are, the better chance they get home ice in the playoffs. They only have 6 regular season games left, so they need to make them count.

Final road trip of the season. 3 game weekend. 6 points available for the taking. Let's do it.