ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Weekly Growlings

Published on January 30, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Week in Review (1-1-0) Jan. 27 Grizzlies 3 Bakersfield 5 47 shots on net were not enough for the Grizzlies. Jan. 28 Grizzlies 5 Bakersfield 4 Two first period goals for Utah proved to be the difference.

In a Nutshell The Grizzlies hit the road Tuesday and Wednesday for Fresno and Stockton. Utah opens another seven-game home stand Friday and Saturday at the E-Center.

WEST DIVISION STANDINGS: GRIZZLIES THREE STARS OF THE WEEK Team W- L-T PTS Alaska 32-6-3 67 1. Kris Kasper (1 GWG, 1 assist.) Las Vegas 31-7-4 66 2. Ryan Kinasewich (3 goals, 1 assist.) Idaho 23-14-4 50 3. Travis Rycroft (2 assists, +2, 8 shots on net.) Utah 22-17-3 47 Victoria 15-25-3 33 Phoenix 14-24-3 31

A New Leader In The Club House Despite not joining the Grizzlies until the 12th game of the season, Ryan Kinasewich has taken over the team scoring lead with 20 goals and 23 assists in 31 games. He is averaging 1.38 points a game and leads the team with 13 multi-point games- including two hat tricks.

Well Rounded Kris Kasper recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick Saturday with a game-winning goal, an assist and a fighting major. Kasper has made an instant impact to the Grizzlies lineup since returning last Saturday. The 22-year-old has missed 35 total games this season due to two separate injuries.

A TALL Task The Grizzlies recorded their second SHORThanded goal of the year Saturday when Brad Herauf tallied his ninth of the year in the first period, putting the Grizzlies up 2-0. Trevor Baker scored Utah's only other "shorty" of the season December 27th versus Idaho.

Picking Their Spots The Grizzlies scored five goals on Saturday on just 26 shots (19.2%.) That is their second-best shooting percentage of the season. Sunday, October 23 at Phoenix, the Grizzlies scored 7 goals on just 22 shots.

Hill Is Back After Successful AHL Stint High-scoring defenseman Ed Hill returned to the Grizzlies lineup Friday versus Bakersfield after four games with the San Antonio Rampage. In San Antonio, playing under former Grizzlies coaches Pat Conacher and Gord Dineen, Hill tallied two assists in four games. Prior to his callup, Hill had three goals and seven assists in Utah's previous eight games.

Another Potent Defenseman Is Back Slowly but surely, the Grizzlies are beginning to fill back up on the defensive end. Tom Reimann (4 goals, 23 assists) also took a spot on the blueline Friday versus Bakersfield after missing nine games with an upper-body injury. The Grizzlies competed the two previous weekends with just three defensemen.

Speaking of Defensemen Who Score Lou DiMasi scored his first ECHL point Friday versus Bakersfield, assisting on a Ryan Kinasewich goal in the first period. Playing in his first full ECHL season, the Vermont native added another assist Saturday versus Bakersfield. This all coming after missing 27 games earlier this season injured.

All-Star Update With James Laux remaining on IR, Matt Craig was the only Utah Grizzlies player represented in the ECHL All-Star Game Wednesday in Fresno. Due to an injury sustained during his AHL callup in Manitoba, Craig's play in the game was limited.

In the skills competition Tuesday, Craig finished one shot off of the lead, going 3 for 8 in the MeiGray Group Accuracy Shooting Competition, while recording a goal in the RBK Hockey Breakaway Relay; helping the National Conference to a 15-8 win over the American Conference.

And You Sign On The X After several stints this season as an emergency backup goaltender, the Grizzlies signed BYU product Tamio Stehrenberger to a standard contract prior to Friday's game with Bakersfield.

Upcoming Schedule: Jan. 30 - Utah @ Fresno The Grizzlies visit this year's ECHL All-Star venue. Jan. 31 - Utah @ Stockton The Grizzlies are 2-0 versus the Phoenix Coyotes' ECHL affiliate this season. Feb. 3 - Fresno @ Utah "Family Feast Night," select concession items $1. Feb. 4 - Fresno @ Utah Utah defeated the Falcons in Fresno in the only meeting between the two prior to this week.

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