AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies gain momentum with two division wins

February 23, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


A LOOK AT LAST WEEK (2-1-0-0)

Monday Vs. Cleveland Loss 2-1
Friday Vs. Chicago Win 4-1
Sunday Vs. Houston Win 4-1

On Monday the Grizzlies faced the Cleveland Barons in a President's Day matinee at the ‘E' Center. Utah let the Barons score two unanswered third period goals to take a 2-1 victory. Barons goaltender Seamus Kotyk got the win with 21 stops. Ron Tugnutt made 31 saves in a losing effort for Utah falling to 1-3-1 on the season. The Grizzlies opened the first period with some of the emotion from Saturday's victory. It only took 1:22 for Steve Gainey to redirect a shot by Gerard DiCaire into the net and pick up his 7th goal of the season. But the emotion wouldn't last. The offense for both teams was cold through the rest of the first period and throughout the scoreless second before Cleveland took over. The Barons became much more aggressive in the third period scoring two goals and fending off a Grizzlies offense that managed only 7 shots in the final frame. Jon DiSalvatore struck first on netminder Ron Tugnutt at 1:53 of the third before Jesse Fibiger was able to slap in an easy game winner in front of the net at the 5:42 mark. Tugnutt finished with 31 saves.

After 10 defeats dating back to last season, the Grizzlies finally overcame the Chicago Wolves Friday with a 4-1 decision at the 'E' Center in front of a crowd of 9,417. Four different Grizzlies put up goals while Jason Bacashihua earned the win with 30 saves. Utah avoided an eleventh straight loss to the Wolves with an aggressive offense that outshot Chicago in every period. Trevor Daley struck first with a long swat on the power play at 12:29 of the first period. In the second period, Rob Valicevic would give the shorthanded Grizzlies the 2-0 advantage by redirecting a high puck past Wolves netminder Kari Lehtonen. Chicago was able to take advantage of a defensive lapse by the Grizzlies early in the third period. It was Eric Healey who found the net at the 1:38 mark to bring the Wolves within one. However, the Grizzlies broke out of their routine and became even more aggressive throughout the period. Jarrod Skalde gave Utah a two-goal advantage at 3:35 of the third frame. Mathias Tjarnqvist would give the Grizzlies their final advantage of 4-1 with a power play goal at the 11:43 mark.

Utah grounded the Houston Aeros Sunday posting a 4-1 victory at the 'E' Center to come within six points of the Aeros in the division standings. Trevor Daley scored two early goals for the Grizzlies while Jason Bacashihua earned the victory with 35 saves. Daley set the tone early for Utah, quickly scoring his 4th and 5th goals of the season. Daley scored only 44 seconds into the first period from 50 feet out. Only seconds later, at the 1:27 mark, Daley would put in his second goal assisted by Antti Miettinen. These were the quickest back-to-back goals recorded for the Grizzlies since Jarrod Skalde put in two within 35 seconds on December 19. Trevor Daley would get in on the scoring once more by assisting Justin Cox who put the Grizzlies up 3-0 at 15:03 of the second period. Houston would finally respond, however, when team point leader Stephane Veilleux got one past Jason Bacashihua. Bacashihua got his eighth victory with 35 stops. Houston netminder Johan Holmqvist would exit the game late in the third period leaving an empty net and allowing Warren Peters to add the Grizzlies' final goal with 19 seconds remaining. Holmqvist finished with 18 saves.

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltender Ron Tugnutt was recalled by Dallas. Left wing Charles Linglet was signed to a second professional tryout. Goaltender Dan Ellis was returned to Utah on loan from Dallas. Steve Gainey was traded to Philadelphia by Dallas in exchange for Mike Siklenka.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT

Chicago – 26-18-7-3, 66 pts. (3rd - West Division)...The Wolves fell to the Grizzlies on February 20 for the first time in eleven contests. Chicago went on to defeat Houston 6-3 on Saturday with the help of team point leader Steve Maltais who scored a hat trick.

Grand Rapids – 18-26-10-3, 78 pts. (1st - West Division)...The Griffins lead the league in points and have won eight of their last ten games. Goaltender Joey MacDonald boasts a 1.84 GAA in 23 games. The Grizzlies have a 2-2-2-0 record against the Griffins.

Manchester – 18-26-10-3, 62 pts. (tied for 2nd - Atlantic Division)...The Monarchs are 1-1-1-0 against the Grizzlies this season and are without a loss in four of their last five contests. Manchester is led in scoring by right wing Pavel Rosa (57).

Worcester – 18-26-10-3, 61 pts. (4th - Atlantic Division)...The Icecats are 2-1-0-0 against Utah this season. Neither team has been victorious at home during the previous contests. Worcester has lost three of their last five games.

GRIZZLIES THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1.) Jason Bacashihua – Allowed only two goals out of 61 shots
2.) Trevor Daley – Three goals and an assist in games on Friday and Sunday
3.) Mathias Tjarnqvist – Recorded a goal and an assist on Sunday

BON VOYAGE!

The Grizzlies will embark on their longest road trip of the season Wednesday. Utah will play eight games away from the ‘E' Center between February 25 and March 7 and will not host another game until March 10 when Cincinnati comes to town.

GATHER WITH THE GRIZZLIES

The Grizzlies' season-long library tour is almost over. On March 9th Grizzlies hockey players will make their final special appearances to promote reading at three different locations: The Herriman Library at 4:00 pm, the Magna Library at 4:00 pm and the West Valley Library at 7:00 pm.

GRIZZLIES AWARD BANQUET

The 2004 Utah Grizzlies Award Banquet has been set for Monday, April 5th at a TBD time and location. Be sure to reserve your seats by calling Marilyn Hunnewell at (801) 988-8039 to get your seat at the best table.

GRIZZLIES HOTLINE

Be sure to check out the Utah Grizzlies Information Hotline at (801) 988-8005 to get the latest news and information about the Grizzlies and while your surfing the web check out www.utahgrizzlies.com for all the latest growls from your favorite hockey team.

WHAT'S ON TAP
Wed. Feb. 25 – @ Chicago Wolves, Allstate Arena - - 6:00 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Thu. Feb. 26 – @ Grand Rapids, Van Andel Arena - - 6:00 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Sat. Feb. 28 – @ Manchester Monarchs, Verizon Wireless Arena - - 5:35 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM
Sun. Feb. 29 – @ Worcester IceCats, Centrum Center - - 5:05 PM mst – ESPN Radio 1230-AM

SLAP SHOTS
~The Grizzlies are at .500 for their last ten games for the first time since Dec. 19
~Jason Bacashihua allowed only 2 goals on 61 shots this week
~Trevor Daley recorded three goals and an assist this week including two consecutive goals on Sunday
~Mathias Tjarnqvist
~Antti Miettinen has notched three assists in his last two games

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from February 23, 2004


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