Weekend Preview/Playoff Update - Utah Grizzlies vs Victoria Salmon Kings

Okay, we get it. Sometimes it takes a little to get used to playing a new team. Sometimes there is pressure playing in front of your home fans. Sometimes you're just inexperienced and you don't know exactly what to expect. But you always have a choice - you can give it your best and feel good about the result, or you can make a bunch of excuses and always wonder whether or not you could have done better.

This is that kind of moment for the Utah Grizzlies.

The team is now in what we call "Yoda Territory". They are down 3 games in a best of 7 series, and haven't left themselves a lot of wiggle room. According to Adrian Denny's game day blog, Coach Colley is going to break down the game into 12 five minute segments and emphasize winning each one. Hey, they have to try something. But as Yoda says, "Do or do not - there is no try." If they "do not," then their season is not. (Our own little philosophic touch there.)

The way the Grizzles came out in the first series, we saw what they were capable of. We already knew this, of course, because they sat at the top of the Western Conference for quite some time. But with changes to the team, some injuries, and some uninspired play down the stretch, we kind of forgot how good they were. We think maybe they did too.

The Grizzlies have had their chances in all three games, and though the series tally doesn't show it, it's been a pretty tight matchup. It could just as easily have been Victoria down 3-0. As defenseman Nick Tuzzolino said, "In any of the three games, if you didn't look at the scoreboard, you couldn't tell who won." That might be profound... But it's true, especially of the last game that Victoria won in overtime. Call it luck, bounces or whatever, but the Grizzlies have to find a way to push past it and make it less even in their favor.

As we pointed out many times this season, Utah is at their best when they play for each other. As soon as they become selfish, everything falls apart. The common goal of everyone on the team at this point (we assume) is to win a championship. But not one guy on that team can win it by himself. They need each other, and have to realize they are needed by their teammates. Besides, the achievement is that much sweeter when you celebrate it with your friends.

We know the Grizzlies can do this. It is, difficult, but not impossible - especially not for this team. But, if like young Luke Skywalker, they sit around thinking they can't believe it, Yoda has another response: "That is why you fail." Fail would be in the "do not" category, as imparted by Master Yoda. Winning every 5 minute segment of that game is a "do". We hope that Tuzzolino speaks for the team when he says, "We're still positive. We're still of the mentality that we can force this into a seven-game series."

Puck drops at 8:00 pm tonight in Victoria. Time to choose to climb out of the hole. Believe it, do it, and do it for your friends. May the Force be with you.