Sports stats



ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Open Series In Victoria Thursday

January 2, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


News and Notes:

The Situation

The Grizzlies are currently 2-1 through three games on their season-long seven game road trip and 14-13-0-3 overall on the season. Utah started the trip by taking two of three games versus the Alaska Aces in Anchorage. It marked the first time in three years that Utah has won a three-game series at the Sullivan Arena.

On The Road

The Grizzlies have currently won five of their last seven games played on the road dating back to November 16. The Grizzlies have not lost two games in the same road series since opening weekend in Phoenix.

Scoring Goals

The Grizzlies have scored 14 goals in three games on their current trip and four goals or more in five of their last six games overall. Utah has scored 37 goals in their last seven road games. The Grizzlies are 11-2-0-0 this season when scoring four goals or more.

The Utah Power-Play Starring James Sanford

The Grizzlies power-play is currently six for 18 (33-percent) on the road trip and 11 for 40 (27.5-percent) in their last seven games since James Sanford returned to the lineup. Sanford has assisted in five of Utah's 11 power-play goals since returning from a personal absence December 14.

Ringing The Belle

Olivier Labelle had five goals and one assist for the Grizzlies in Alaska; including his first professional hat trick Saturday when he recorded three goals. Labelle returned to Utah from their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport just in time for the weekend series. Overall, the second-year-pro has ten goals and ten assists in 19 games for the Grizzlies. He is currently riding a five-game scoring streak with six goals and one assist. His four-game goal scoring streak is two shy of Keith Johnson's team season-high, which is the second longest in the ECHL this season.

The Belle, Burt and Bob

The line of Labelle, Scott Burt (two goals, three assists) and Rob Sirianni (one goal, three assists) combined for eight goals and seven assists in the three games in Alaska.

On Recall

With the promotion of former ECHL All-Star and second-year defenseman Andy Sertich to the Grizzlies and Islanders AHL affiliate in Bridgeport on Monday, Utah has had nine players make the trip to the AHL this season. Seven players: Mike Mole, Tyler Haskins, Ryan Kinasewich, Scott Ford, Micheal Haley, Trevor Smith and Sertich are all currently with the Sound Tigers. With the help of these former Grizzlies, Bridgeport has currently won two-straight games and seven of their last ten.

The NHL Parent Club

The Islanders currently sit at 20-16-2, three points out of first place in the NHL's competitive Atlantic Division. New York has currently won two-straight and five of their last six games.

This Week:

Thursday: Utah at Victoria, 8:05 p.m.

Saturday: Utah at Victoria, 8:05 p.m.

Sunday: Utah at Victoria, 2:05 p.m.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

• Discuss this story on the ECHL message board...

ECHL Stories from January 2, 2008


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.

OurSports Central