AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Can't Find Wins or Back of the Net

Published on January 20, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


WHAT'S ON TAP

Fri. Jan. 23 – Vs. Chicago, ‘E' Center - -7:05 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Sat. Jan. 24 – Vs. Chicago, ‘E' Center - -7:05 PM mst – KPNZ, Z-24 TV, ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Fri. Jan. 30 – Vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, ‘E' Center - -7:05 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Sat. Jan. 21 – Vs. Grand Rapids Griffins, ‘E' Center - - 7:05 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM

SLAP SHOTS

~Dan Ellis had 39 saves against Hartford on Saturday in 1-0 loss
~The Grizzlies retired the #2 sweater worn by Gord Dineen on Saturday night
~David Gove had his eighth goal of the season in 2-1 loss at San Antonio on Thursday
~Rob Valicevic notched his 12th assist of the season against San Antonio
~Jarrod Skalde continues to lead the Grizzlies in scoring (36 pts.), picking up his 16th goal against Milwaukee on Wednesday.
~Barrett Heisten contributed his 5th assist in loss to San Antonio on Thursday.

A LOOK AT LAST WEEK (1-4-0-0)

Monday Vs. Milwaukee Loss 6-0
Wednesday Vs. Milwaukee Win 2-1
Thursday @ San Antonio Loss 2-1
Saturday Vs. Hartford Loss 1-0
Monday Vs. Hartford Loss 5-0

The Utah Grizzlies' offense that was so effective at Milwaukee on January 10th was nowhere to be found when the teams met again Monday, January 12th at the 'E' Center. Admirals netminder Wade Flaherty picked up his second shutout of the year in the 6-0 decision. Milwaukee's Tony Hrkac had a goal and two assists in a victory that saw six different players from the Admirals find the net. Admiral Mathieu Darche got the Milwaukee scoring started on Grizzlies goaltender Ron Tugnutt at the 7:08 mark of the first period, Tony Hrkac helping on the assist. At 8:13 of the second period it was Hrkac finding a way past Tugnutt and Darche picking up the assist. Tugnett left the game injured at 15:10 of the second period and Jason Bacashihua took his turn. Less than two minutes later Hrkac recorded his third point of the night notching another assist on the power play at 16:41 of the second period. He found Brad Tiley whose shot deflected off a stick and into the net over Bacashihua's shoulder. The Admirals would take a total of eight shots at Bacashihua scoring four times. Bryan Lundbohm registered an unassisted goal at 9:57 of the third period. Timofei Shishkanov and Jay Henderson recorded a goal apiece to complete the Admirals' assault. On Wednesday, the Grizzlies used 32 saves from Jason Bacashihua to hold on to a 2-1 decision over the Milwaukee Admirals at the 'E' Center. The win halted a three-game home losing streak for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies began the scoring in the first period with a when Antti Miettinen executed a perfectly timed pass across the net to Jarrod Skalde who knocked his 16th goal of the season through at the 4:50 mark. It was Miettinen's fifth helper, his fourth since returning on Jan. 2 from a shoulder injury. The Admirals' offense finally managed to tie the game late in the second period when Tony Hrkac who found the net at the 18:31 mark. Hrkac extended his goal streak to five straight games. The Grizzlies responded at 2:19 of the third when Zenon Konopka battled at the crease in traffic to force the puck past Admirals netminder Wade Flaherty and claim his second goal of the season and the win for Utah. Next up was a Thursday evening contest in San Antonio. The Grizzlies, who have struggled when playing at the SBC Center, continued the jinx against the Rampage when they failed to earn points once again despite nine power play opportunities. San Antonio gained the 2-1 victory. The teams skated to a scoreless first period as San Antonio outshot the Grizzlies 9-8 in the opening frame. Jason Bacashihua, 3-0-1 in his last four starts, made nine saves and was tested more in the final minutes of the opening frame and did well to stop two Rampage power plays. The best Grizzly chances came on re-directions off point shots from Nick Naumenko, David Cornacchia and Sean Gagnon. San Antonio took the lead in the second period when Brent Cullaton, playing in his first game with the Rampage scored on a breakaway beating Bacashihua up high. The Rampage would add a power play goal by Lucas Krajicek, his first of the season, assisted by Michel Periard and Denis Shvidki at the 7:46 mark of the period giving San Antonio a 2-0 lead after two periods. Utah would cut the lead in half early in the third period when David Gove scored his eighth goal of the season assisted by Rob Valicevic and Barrett Heisten at the 2:24 mark of the period. Utah would be unable to capitalize on their next five power play chances as the undisciplined Rampage took a total of six minors in the third period but the Grizzlies could muster just the one goal. The Rampage outshot the Grizzlies 25-24 but Utah's ineffectiveness on the power play (1 for 9) led to the one-goal loss. Jason Bacashihua played well once again making 23 saves allowing just two goals. Travis Scott also made 23 saves for San Antonio earning his 15th victory (four of which have come against Utah). On Saturday, the Grizzlies returned to the ‘E' Center where they were shut down 1-0 by Jason LaBarbera and the Hartford Wolf Pack. LaBarbera finished with 16 saves and recorded his league-leading seventh shutout of the season. The Grizzlies had their highest attendance of the year (8,549) on a night that the Grizzlies retired the jersey of Grizzlies great Gord Dineen. Hartford started the scoring at 9:13 of the first period when Garth Murray caught up with a pass from Paul Healey and flipped his sixth goal of the season past Grizzlies netminder Dan Ellis. Ellis finished with 39 stops. The Grizzlies had been outshot 27-13 by the end of the scoreless second period. In the third, Hartford continued their relentless defense allowing Utah only 3 shots on goal. Hartford would finish the game with a 40-16 shots on goal advantage. LaBarbera picked up his 16th victory for the Wolf Pack who has not had a loss in its last seven games. On Monday, Hartford would complete the two-game series, blanking the Grizzlies for the second straight time behind a three-goal outburst in the second period that buried Utah. Jason LaBarbera, the AHL's Sher-Wood Player of the Week, picked up his second consecutive shutout and continues to lead the league in that category with 8 on the season. Hartford has now won 17 games with LaBarbera guarding the net. LaBarbera turned away 24 shots for the Wolf Pack while five other members of the Pack found the net. A scoreless first period gave way to the three quick scores (all within 3:04 of each other) by Hartford mid-way through the second. At the 10:57 mark Cory Larose banged one past Jason Bacashihua who finished the game with 21 saves. Only 16 seconds later it was Jeff Heerema who picked up a turn over from Larose and made the score 2-0. Dominic Moore would get in on the action at the 14:01 mark. On the positive side, Bacashihua turned away a penalty shot from Layne Ulmer at 11:21 of the third. However, Jason MacDonald would get a shorthanded goal and Bobby Andrews would pick up the final score of the game for the Wolf Pack resulting in the 5-0 decision. Utah has now been shutout in three of their last five games and eight times this season.

ROSTER REPORT

Defenseman John Erskine was loaned to the Grizzlies for conditioning on Jan. 12 but was recalled by Dallas on Jan. 15. Right wing Antti Miettinen was recalled by the Dallas Stars. Defenseman Regan Darby and left wing Brett Draney were re-assigned to the Idaho Steelheads. Defenseman David Cornacchia was recalled from Idaho. Goaltender Mike Smith was recalled by Dallas and goaltender Dan Ellis was recalled by the Grizzlies from Idaho. Goaltender Ron Tugnutt was recalled by Dallas.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS

Chicago - 21-14-6-3, 51 pts. (2nd - West Division)...The Wolves have played the Grizzlies four times this season, shutting out Utah in the last two meetings. Since blanking the Grizzlies on Jan. 7, the Wolves have gone 3-1-1-1, most recently posting a 5-2 victory over Houston. Steve Maltais, who leads the Wolves in scoring (32 pts.), had two goals in that game.

GRIZZLIES THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1.) Dan Ellis - 39 saves in 1-0 loss to Hartford on Saturday
2.) David Gove - Had his 8th goal of the season against San Antonio and contributed a spectacular open-ice hit during the 1-0 loss to Hartford on Saturday.
3.) Zenon Konopka – Showed his grit and toughness throughout the rough week accumulating 30 PIM's in five games including three fighting majors.

CATCH GRIZZLIES ACTION ON Z-24 TV

The Grizzlies' battle with the Chicago Wolves on January 24th will be televised live from the ‘E' Center on Z-24 TV at 7:00 pm.

SKALDE AND WEDDERBURN TO APPEAR AT RC WILLEY

Jarrod Skalde and Tim Wedderburn will both be on hand on Wednesday, January 21st at the RC Willey located in Murray near Fashion Place Mall (861 East 6600 South) to meet and greet the fans and sign autographs.

GATHER WITH THE GRIZZLIES READING PROGRAM KICKS OFF ON JANUARY 28

The Utah Grizzlies in conjunction with the Salt Lake County Library will host several Gather with the Grizzlies reading sessions at the numerous SLCL branches in the Salt Lake Valley beginning on Wednesday, January 28th. Other dates for sessions are February 11th, February 12th, February 18th and March 9th. Times, players and locations will be determined at a later date.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2004


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