Game 1: Grizzlies 5, Thunder 2

One down, two to go.

This is the Grizzlies team we'd hoped to see come out to play tonight. After a less than appealing recent losing streak, we weren't sure what to expect from the boys tonight. But came out with absolute style, looking like the team they were during the first half of the season. Stockton looked stunned.

We truly appreciated the way Utah responded to the Stockton goals. We'd been waiting to see this kind of rebound after a momentum change for months, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Scoring was clicking with several players (Ferguson, Reber, McIlveen, Parnham) having multiple point nights, and the boys were able to keep things on the forecheck for the majority of time, only allowing 28 SOG compared to the Grizzlies' 37.

Welcome to Utah, Reber.

Also, amazing job by the Grizzlies in staying out of the box. For two teams that were penalty heavy through the season, it was nice to see Utah only pick up two minors and capitalize on two of Stockton's 5 short-handed situations.

And that's all we have to say about that.

Let's go for two, boys.

Stars of the Game -

1. UTA - M. Reber
2. UTA - K. Deeth
3. UTA - S. Ferguson

Links -
post game || Grizzlies Take 1-0 Series Lead With 5-2 Win
gamesheet || Stockton at Utah - 4/5/11
highlights || Game Highlights 4/5/11 vs Stockton
interview || Kevin Colley 4/5/11 post game
interview || Kevin Deeth 4/5/11 intermission