2 of ECHL's Hottest Teams Clash at Maverik Center this Weekend
Published on January 23, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
Friday, January 24: Bakersfield at Utah, 7 p.m.
Saturday, January 25: Bakersfield at Utah, 7 p.m.
All games are broadcast live on 1320 KFAN, 1320KFAN.com, iHeart Radio by searching "1320 KFAN" and for $8 PPV at UtahGrizzlies.com.
The Situation
The Grizzlies enter a two-game series with Bakersfield neck and neck with the Condors in the standings. Both teams are playing great hockey with Utah 8-2-2-2 in their last 14 and Bakersfield is 7-2-1-1 since Christmas. Utah currently leads the Condors by two points in the standings and by .001 of a percentage point.
Big Series
This weekend at Maverik Center, features two of the hottest teams in the ECHL since Christmas with Utah ranking second with eight wins and Bakersfield third, winning seven games. Utah and Bakersfield are first and second in wins in the Western Conference since Christmas.
The Matchup
The five total goaltenders on the two rosters this weekend have all been in the AHL this season. Laurent Brossoit of Bakersfield won goaltender of the week this past week, while Utah's Aaron Dell finished as the runner-up.
At The Maverik Center
Utah is 5-0-1-2 in their last eight games at Maverik Center going back to December 28. That is their longest unbeaten streak since they went 8-0-1-0 in nine-straight home games February 20-March 27, 2010.
Hometown Boy On Fire
West Valley City D.J. Jelitto has a six-game scoring streak with four goals and three assists in his last six games. He has six goals and seven assists for 13 points and a plus-12 during this stretch. He is third in the ECHL in scoring during this stretch and leads the league in plus-minus.
D-Man
Martin Lee ranks second behind Jelitto with a plus-ten in January. He leads ECHL defensemen with 12 points in 11 games in that stretch, is seventh overall in scoring and also is tied for the active lead among ECHL defensemen with 19 assists.
Winning Goaltenders On The Roster
Grizzlies goaltenders Aaron Dell, Igor Bobkov and Cody Reichard having combined records of 13-7-3-4 overall with the Grizzlies this year.
Vinny, Vinny, Vinny
Forward Vincent Scarsella has four goals and three assists and four of his eight goals this season in the last six games.
Pelech's Assists
Michael Pelech has assisted on Utah's first two goals in the last two games. He has led Utah in scoring over the last month with four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 15 games since December 21.
Goal Leader/Leading Scorer
David Vallorani now leads Utah with 15 goals, having scored four goals in the last five games. He has 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points, playing in 36 of 38 Grizzlies games; which is second behind Brent Gwidt who has played in 37 of 38 games.
Coming Back For Weekend
Jamie MacQueen (St. John's/Winnipeg) with 10 goals and seven assists for 17 points in 18 games and AHL contracted defenseman Teigan Zahn (Norfolk/Anaheim) have both returned from the AHL and will be with the Grizzlies this weekend for this series.
Winning Without
Along with MacQueen and Zahn, the Grizzlies have also been without scoring forward Mathieu Aubin (injured) and assistant captain and top defenseman Channing Boe (injured) over the last few weeks as they continue to rise up in the standings.
On Television Saturday
Saturday's game will be televised on KMYU (2.2 over-the-air, 12 on satellites and 22 on cable) beginning at 7 p.m. The broadcast team consists of "Voice of the Grizzlies" Adrian Denny, 1320 KFAN Color Commentator Tim "Monty" Montemayor and Adam Mikulich from KUTV's Talkin' Sports, who will be between the benches. The game is the fifth of seven televised games on KMYU this year. The contest will be simulcast on the Home of Utah Grizzlies Radio 1320 KFAN.
Friday is a post-game skate, skate rental is $2. Saturday is Guns N' Hoses Night, with local police and firefighters playing two games to raise money for local charities at 1 and 3:30 p.m.
ECHL Stories from January 23, 2014
- Solar Bears Battle to 4-3 Win over Gwinnett - Orlando Solar Bears
- Solar Bears Best Gladiators 4-3 - Atlanta Gladiators
- Solar Bears Acquire Cody Reichard from Utah - Orlando Solar Bears
- Burt Returns to Reign and Brings Kings Prospect with Him - Ontario Reign
- Three Trophies Join Stanley Cup at ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend in Alaska - Alaska Aces
- Nagle Recalled by AHL's Stars - Idaho Steelheads
- ECHL Transactions - January 23 - ECHL
- Three Trophies to Join Stanley Cup at ECHL Hockey Heritage Weekend in Alaska - ECHL
- Goalie Knapp Assigned to Everblades; Stajcer Called Up - Florida Everblades
- ECHL Announces Fines, Suspensions - ECHL
- Brittany Force and NHRA Come to Ontario - Ontario Reign
- Game Preview: Solar Bears vs Gwinnett Gladiators - January 23 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Severyn Returns from Utica - Orlando Solar Bears
- Goaltender Jeff Jakaitis Returns from AHL - South Carolina Stingrays
- Bakersfield Ownership Transfer Approved - ECHL
- Sinkewich, Shea back with the Walleye - Toledo Walleye
- Edmonton Oilers Announce Purchase of Bakersfield Condors - Bakersfield Condors
- Madore Reassigned, O'Keefe Acquired - Cincinnati Cyclones
- 2 of ECHL's Hottest Teams Clash at Maverik Center this Weekend - Utah Grizzlies
- Statement from SF Bulls CEO Angela Batinovich - San Francisco Bulls
- Parking Alert Issued for Saturday - South Carolina Stingrays
- ECHL Today - January 23 - ECHL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
