ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah Grizzlies Playoff Notes; Post-Season Opens In Alaska Tonight

Published on April 10, 2006 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


The Grizzlies open the playoffs tonight in Alaska. Face-off is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. Games three, four and five* of the best-of-seven series shift to the E-Center Thursday, Friday and Sunday if necessary.

In A Nutshell
The Grizzlies finished 4-5-1 this season versus Alaska, who finished the season with the second-best record in ECHL history.

Watch Special Teams In This Series
Alaska scored 18 of their 33 goals versus Utah in 10 games on the power-play or shorthanded. Skating 5 on 5 during the regular season, the Aces outscored Utah 15-13.

Two Can Play That Game
Utah scored three of their eight shorthanded goals this season versus Alaska, including two on March 22nd at the E-Center.

Sixth and Seventh Times A Charm?
At 0-4-1 at Anchorage's Sullivan Arena, it was the only arena in the West Division where Utah did not have a victory this season.

Big State, Big Ice
Sullivan Arena is the only rink this year that Utah has visited that has Olympic-sized ice. The Aces finished an ECHL best 30-4-2 on the large ice surface during the regular season.

Alfie Does Alaska
During the regular season, Utah netminder Alfie Michaud was 4-2-1 with a 2.25 GAA and a .925 save percentage versus the Aces.

No Such Thing As A Curse!
Throwing all crazy talk of curses out the window, only one team in ECHL history has won the league's Kelly Cup when finishing with the best record and winning the Brabham Cup. The Grizzlies obviously hope to continue that trend early this playoff season versus Alaska.

Atop The Leader board
Ryan Kinasewich finished the ECHL's regular season tied for the league-lead with 39 goals.

Utah Bad Boys
Brad Herauf (344), Colt King (290) and Brent Henley (275) finished 1st, 2nd and 4th in the ECHL in penalty minutes during the regular season.

Utah Connections
Alaska has three former Grizzlies and one former Salt Lake Golden Eagle. (Barrett Heisten (2001-2004), Peter Metcalf/Mike Lee (2004-2005) and Kimbi Daniels (Salt Lake Golden Eagles 1993-94.)

Top Of The Line
The line of Louis Dumont, Ryan Kinasewich and Garett Cameron combined for 14 points Friday and Saturday in Victoria.

There Every Night
Brad Herauf, Chad Starling and Garett Cameron, all Saskatchewan natives were the only Utah players to play in all 72 games this season.

The winner of this series will face the winner of the Idaho and Las Vegas best-of-seven series in the West Division Finals.

Utah Grizzlies Playoff Quick Facts
Last Playoff Game: April 12, 2003: 2-1 loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Last Playoff Series: April 10-12, 2003: Swept 2-0 by Wilkes Barre/Scranton.
Last Playoff Win: April 17, 2002: 2-1 over Houston.
Last Playoff Goal: Marcus Kristoffersson: April 12, 2003.
Last Playoff Goaltender: Jason Bacashihua: (currently with the St Louis Blues): April 12, 2003.
Last Home Playoff Game: April 19, 2002: 2-0 loss to Houston.
All games listed took place in the AHL.

The Series - ECHL West Division Semi-Finals
Tonight, Utah @ Alaska
Tuesday, Utah @ Alaska
Thursday, Alaska @ Utah
Friday, Alaska @ Utah
Sunday, Alaska @ Utah*
Tuesday, (18th) Utah @ Alaska*
Saturday, (22nd) Utah @ Alaska*
Note date change for game seven.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



ECHL Stories from April 10, 2006


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