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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Road Trip Comes to an Upbeat End

March 10, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


SLAP SHOTS

~The Grizzlies ended their six-game road trip with a 1-4-0-1 record
~Utah is 3-4-0-1 in their last eight home games
~The first period has seen the Grizzlies give up a goal in each of the last seven games (outscored 15-6)
~David Oliver and John Erskine were both re-assigned from Dallas on Saturday
~Corey Hirsch stopped 90 of 99 shots faced in his last three games
~Eric Landry has five points (2-3-5) in his last two games and recorded a team-high 31 PIM's in Friday's game
~Mark Wotton has a goal and four assists in his last four games
~David Gosselin has 10 points (3-7-10) in his last 10 games
~Marc-Andre Thinel has three goals and two assists in his last five games
~Bubba Berenzweig ended a five-game point drought with three points (1-2-3) on Sunday versus Cleveland

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

Friday at Cleveland Loss 4-0
Saturday at Cincinnati Loss 4-3
Sunday at Cleveland Win 5-4 The Grizzlies entered play last week 0-3-0-1 in their last four games and with hopes of turning things around against two teams who are currently not among the playoff contenders in Cleveland and Cincinnati. On Friday night, Cleveland took advantage of some poor play in front of goaltender Corey Hirsch to take a 1-0 lead after two periods. The game had a mot of tight checking and very few offensive opportunities for each club but things shifter with two separate altercations early in the third period. First, Jeff MacMillan took down Miroslav Zalesak on a partial breakaway warranting a penalty shot in the eyes of referee Wes McCauley. Zalesak would not disappoint the Barons fans as he beat Hirsch giving Cleveland the 2-0 lead. Second, five minutes into the frame the Grizzlies lost their cool as Eric Landry and David Gosselin each received game misconducts for starting a near brawl. The result was a five-on-three power play for Cleveland that they also took advantage of putting the game away with a goal making the score 3-0. Vesa Toskala earned his first shutout of the season making 27 saves. In Cincinnati on Saturday, Utah looked to be in the same boat as Friday as the Ducks jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead. Barrett Heisten scored the lone first period goal for the Grizzlies. Cincy would add another in the second period seemingly putting the game on ice but Utah would mount a comeback in the third period behind a goal from Marc-Andre Thinel and a goal with the goalie pulled in the final minute by Landry but that was as close as the Grizzlies would get at 4-3. Cleveland would jump out to a 3-0 lead after one period on Sunday certainly causing a tense locker room situation in the first intermission. The team responded to what they heard as they rattled off three straight goals in the second period to tie the game at three goals apiece. Mark Wotton, Jeff Bateman and Landry scored for Utah. The Grizzlies picked up where they left off in the third period scoring early on the power play behind Thinel's fifth goal of the year. Bubba Berenzweig scored the team's fifth goal making it 5-3. A late Zalesak goal pulled Cleveland to within a goal where the game ended 5-4.

ROSTER REPORT

Utah had a switch in goal early in the week as Corey Hirsch and Jason Bacashihua switched addresses with Hirsch heading back to Salt Lake City and Bacashihua getting his first taste of the NHL. Utah was re-assigned John Erskine and David Oliver from Dallas on Saturday. Erskine had been up with the Stars since early January and Oliver received his first call-up of the season on Thursday.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENT

Grand Rapids Griffins – 40-17-8-2, 90 pts. (1st – Central Division)...The Griffins have tasted first place in the conference recently and now trail Houston by two points...Mark Mowers and Michel Picard each have 70 points ranking them among the AHL leaders...Marc Lamothe is one of the top goaltenders in the league posting a 27-14-8 record with a sparkling 2.20 goals against average...Grand Rapids leads the season series 4 games to 3. Cincinnati Mighty Ducks – 22-27-11-5, 60 pts. (3rd – Central Division)...Cincinnati has won the two meetings thus far including a 4-3 victory last Saturday night in Cincinnati...The Ducks are led by Travis Brigley who has 45 points (18-27-45)...Cam Severson has three goals against Utah this season and just 12 total. Milwaukee Admirals– 25-22-13-4, 67 pts. (4th – West Division)...The Admirals are 6-1 versus Utah this year and will host the final three meetings of the season. These two teams would meet in the playoffs if the season ended today...The Admirals are led by super rookie Darren Haydar and his 66 points (26-40-66).

GRIZZLIES THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

1.) Eric Landry – two goals and three assists
2.) Marc-Andre Thinel – two goals and two assists
3.) David Gosselin – two assists

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