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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Second Round Preview: Grizzlies Open Conference Semifinals Friday in Fort Wayne

April 28, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Advancing In Playoffs

During their nine consecutive years in the playoffs, the Grizzlies have now advanced to the second round in five of them. Utah joins Fort Wayne, South Carolina and Allen as the only ECHL teams to advance to the second round in two-straight years. Three of the four teams in the Western Conference Semifinals were in the second round a year ago.

Scoring Goals

The Grizzlies led the first round of the ECHL playoffs with 26 goals for a 4.33 goals-per-game average. The Grizzlies have scored seven goals in two of their last three wins after scoring seven goals twice during the regular season. The Grizzlies had seven skaters in the first round average at least a point-a-game over the six game opening round series.

Among The League Leaders

Utah's leading scorer during the regular season Charlie Sarault is tied for the ECHL lead with six goals and is tied for second with nine points on three assists. Matt Berry (three goals, four assists) and Bryan Moore (two goals, five assists) are both tied for the ECHL lead in scoring by rookies. Marc Cantin is third among ECHL defensemen with two goals and five assists for seven points in six games.

Plus-Minus Too

With a plus-four in Tuesday's game six series clinching victory, Connor Hardowa is tied for the ECHL lead with a plus-six. His plus-four Tuesday was one off of Eric Knodel's season-high of a plus-five against Alaska on December 9.

The Goalies

Grizzlies goaltenders Ryan Faragher and Mark Owuya combined to allow two goals or less in four of the six games during the first round against Colorado.

On The Road

The Grizzlies are 4-2-5-0 in their 11 playoff road games under Tim Branham; meaning they have either won or gone past regulation in nine of their eleven road playoff games since 2014.

First Goals Keep Coming

Utah has scored first in five-straight playoff games and in five of six overall in the playoffs. Utah has scored in the first four minutes of the contest in two of their last three games.

Fort Wayne

This is the third city of 2015-2016 that the Grizzlies will visit after over a 15-year hiatus; previously making trips to Kalamazoo and Indianapolis. The Grizzlies last played the Komets on February 14, 1999 in the IHL. The Komets last visited West Valley City on January 30, 1999 and a 5-4 Utah win. Utah went 5-3-0-1 against Fort Wayne from 1995-1999 and 3-1 in Utah.

Tickets

Tickets for the series are on sale now at UtahGrizzlies.com, Maverik Center Box Office and any Smith's Tix Location. With every ticket purchased, fans will receive a Utah Grizzlies Playoff Rally Towel while supplies last.

Radio

All games will be broadcast live on 1320 KFAN/.com/app and ECHL TV. The Grizzlies will announce their second round television broadcast schedule on KMYU in HD Presented by Operation Lifesaver shortly.

The Grizzlies Minute has the latest news of the day every day at 5:20 p.m. during "Gunther and Ben in the Afternoon" on 1320 KFAN.

Head Coach Tim Branham makes his weekly appearance on 1320 KFAN every Friday at 9:05 a.m. with Tim Lewis and The Morning Huddle

"Voice of the Grizzlies" Adrian Denny joins Gunther and Ben every Friday at 3:30 p.m. during the "Wasatch Whiparound"

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Friday, April 29: Utah at Fort Wayne: 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 30: Utah at Fort Wayne: 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4: Fort Wayne at Utah: 7 p.m.

Friday, May 6: Fort Wayne at Utah: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 7: Fort Wayne at Utah: 7:30 p.m. (If Necessary)

Tuesday, May 10: Utah at Fort Wayne: 5:30 p.m. (If Necessary)

Wednesday, May 11: Utah at Fort Wayne: 5:30 p.m. (If Necessary)

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 28, 2016


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