Grizzlies Open Season Friday in Anchorage
Published on October 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
Opening Night
The Grizzlies open their sixth season in the ECHL, their 16th in Utah and their 17th campaign overall Friday and Saturday in Alaska. The Grizzlies also enter their second season as an affiliate of the Calgary Flames.
Behind The Bench
Kevin Colley, who at 31, remains the youngest coach in the ECHL, has led Utah to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons and carries a regular season record of 62-57-25 with Utah.
Opening Night Under Colley
After having not won on opening night since 2001, the Grizzlies are 2-0 under Kevin Colley on the first game of the year. However, in both opening games, the Grizzlies have trailed 2-0 in the first period before rallying back. Last year in Las Vegas, Utah trailed 2-0 and 3-1 before shifting into overdrive and pulling away with a 5-3 win.
Who's Back
Nine Grizzlies return from last year's crew; with Jake Gannon, Marcus Carroll, Matt Sorteberg, Brock Wilson, Brett Parnham, Tim Crowder, Brian Kilburg, Hugo Carpentier and Matt Clarke all coming back to Utah.
Back In Alaska
Utah goaltender J.P. Lamoureux, signed by the Calgary organization this past summer, returns to Alaska for the first time since the 2008-2009 season, when as a rookie, he led the Aces to game seven of the ECHL's Kelly Cup Finals. Lamoureux was named the ECHL's Goaltender of the Year that season and also named to the league's all first team and all rookie team as he went 33-16-2 in the regular season.
Back at the Sullivan Arena
Utah takes their goaltender back to a familiar place looking for him to turn the tables on the Aces, who he once carried through an entire season. Lamoureux went 34-8-1-1 at the Sullivan Arena during his rookie year, including 6-0 against the Utah Grizzlies during the 2008-2009 campaign. Even more impressive, Lamoureux had a 1.76 goals-against-average at home and a .936 save percentage.
In Anchorage
Utah will visit Alaska twice this year but their trips will be separated by over five months. After this weekend, Utah won't return to Anchorage until the final road trip of the regular season when they play there March 25-27.
Another Homecoming
Utah forward Paul Crowder returns to Alaska's largest city for the first time since starring there for the University of Alaska-Anchorage from 2006-2009. He led the Seawolves in scoring during the 2008-2009 season before signing a free agent contract with the New York Rangers.
Preseason Leaders
Michael Gergen, a second round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005 and opening his second professional season, recorded multiple-points in both Utah preseason games. He totaled one goal, three assists and a plus-three last weekend. Meanwhile, defenseman Chad Denny, who didn't play Saturday, tallied one goal and one assist in a 1:52 span in the second period Friday.
Four Brothers
Tim Crowder and Paul Crowder along with Ed Snetsinger and Brad Snetsinger give the Utah Grizzlies the first and second set of brothers in team history. Tim and Paul are expected to play on the same line to start the year.
Home Openers
Utah debuts for the 2010-2011 season at Maverik Center Friday, October 22 with their fifth annual "Pink in the Rink" for breast cancer awareness taking place Saturday, October 23 at 7:05 p.m. Both opening weekend games will pit Utah against the Bakersfield Condors.
Buy Tickets
Tickets for all Utah Grizzlies home games are on sale now at www.utahgrizzlies.com, the Maverik Center box office or at any Ticketmaster location.
On The Air
Friday: 1230 KFAN-2, Utah at Alaska; 8:45 p.m. pre-game, 9:15 p.m. face-off
Saturday: 1230 KFAN-2, Utah at Alaska; 8:45 p.m. pre-game, 9:15 p.m. face-off
ECHL Stories from October 13, 2010
- Aces Release Addison Deboer, Roster at 23 - Alaska Aces
- Ryan Donald and Alain Goulet Assigned to Reading - Reading Royals
- ECHL Transactions - ECHL
- Jackals announce roster move - Elmira Jackals
- Media Luncheon - Kalamazoo Wings
- Party with the K-Wings - Kalamazoo Wings
- K-Wings Release Two - Kalamazoo Wings
- Grizzlies Sign Defenseman Jason Fredricks - Utah Grizzlies
- Condors commemorate Pacific Division Championship on Saturday for Opening Night - Bakersfield Condors
- Cyclones Host 2010-11 Open House on October 20 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Salmon Kings Help Raise Over $8,000 for TLC Fund - Victoria Salmon Kings
- Hershey Sends Patrick Cullity to Stingrays - South Carolina Stingrays
- Walleye Home Opener Saturday - Toledo Walleye
- Rochester Assigns James Delory to Cyclones - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Grizzlies Open Season Friday in Anchorage - Utah Grizzlies
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.
