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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Complete Seven-Game Road Stretch Friday, Saturday

February 16, 2018 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


This Situation

The Grizzlies complete their seven-game road trip Friday and Saturday in Dallas against the Allen Americans.

New Goaltender Addition

Joel Rumpel stopped 24 of 26 shots for a 2.03 Goals-Against-Average and a .923 Save Percentage Saturday in Rapid City as he made his Utah debut. The only two goals that he allowed came on the power-play. He is now 40-24-6 in the ECHL with a 2.83 Goals-Against-Average and .908 Save Percentage. He went 24-11-5 with Allen and was a member of two of their ECHL Kelly Cup Championship teams during the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons.

Captain To 20 Goals

Captain Ryan Walters scored his team leading 20th goal of the year on Friday night in Rapid City and has 20 goals and 24 assists for 44 points in 40 games.

Back Home

The Grizzlies return home for a Maverik Monday Matinee Monday, February 19 against Idaho. Kids under 12 will be admitted for $6 and adults can Buy One Ticket and Get One Ticket Free with their Maverik Adventure Club Card.

Grizzlies Fight Cancer

Friday and Saturday, February 23 and 24 the Grizzlies team with Stadler to fight cancer. For $20, fans can get a lower bowl ticket to either game, a Grizzlies Fight Cancer T-Shirt, $5 donated to the local organization of their choice fighting cancer and a ticket will be donated to someone fighting cancer or a family member. After Friday's game, fans are invited onto the ice to paint the name of someone close to them who has battled or is fighting cancer. Saturday, the team will auction off the specialty jerseys that the team will where that weekend with all proceeds going to fight cancer.

Back In Lineup

The Grizzlies are close to getting Michael Pelech in the lineup. Pelech has missed 13-straight games since an injury January 13 in Wichita. He was the team's leading scorer at the time of his injury with 10 goals and 23 assists for 33 points in 35 games. Rookie forward Zach Saar is also possible to return this weekend having also missed 13-straight games. Forward Charley Graaskamp (16-straight games) and Chris Leibinger (5-straight games) are also close to returning to the Utah lineup.

Out Of The Ordinary

Before Saturday, Utah had a season-high 21 goals in their last five games, had 11 power-play goals in their last seven games and was 35 for their last 38 on the penalty-kill. In the 2-1 loss, Utah scored to take an early 1-0 lead, went 0-4 on the power-play and Rapid City scored on their first two power-play chances.

Secondary Scoring Scoring

Brendan Harms has five goals and seven assists for 12 points in his last 11 games. Brad Navin has five goals and three assists for nine points in his last eleven games.

Rumpel Acquisition

Coach Tim Branham issued the following statement after trading third-year Utah forward Jon Puskar to Wichita in exchange for Goaltender Joel Rumpel.

"Jon and I had a great conversation. It's mutually beneficial. He did a great job for us, we gave him his start in this league. He's going to have success in Wichita. We needed to go out and get a goaltender. I'll be keeping in touch with Jon for life, he's a great guy, unbelievable in the community, did a great job for this organization. I think it was just time for a change. We wish him all the best, he's a great friend and a great hockey player."

On The Air

Fans can get the latest on the Grizzlies every day on ESPN 700 as "Voice of the Grizzlies" Adrian Denny delivers the morning report at 11:25 a.m. with Grizzlies In 60 during "The Bill Riley Show" followed by the afternoon report at 3:25 p.m. with Grizzlies In 60 during "Gunther and Hackett." Utah Grizzlies Radio is Fueled by the Rocky Mountain Propane Association.

Official Country Station

Z-104, Utah's #1 Country Station, returns as the Official Country Station of the Grizzlies with select games broadcast live on the legendary KSOP AM 1370/104.3 FM HD-2; featuring Utah's Classic Country. Denny joins Dave and Deb the Friday of every weekend home stand just after 9 a.m. on Z-104, followed by a visit with Country Joe on AM 1370/104.3 FM HD-2.

Television Coverage

KMYU has begun its sixth season of televising Grizzlies games this season with the next broadcasts coming up Monday February 19 and Saturday, February 24 as Denny joins Adam Mikulich from 2 News Talkin' Sports. Grizzlies television broadcasts are presented by Operation Lifesaver.

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ECHL Stories from February 16, 2018


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.

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