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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah Grizzlies Weekly News and Notes

March 13, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


In A Nutshell

The idle Grizzlies officially clinched a spot in the ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs Saturday night. Now battling for playoff seeding, Utah opens a four-game home stand Wednesday with Alaska.

Playoff Bound

Despite being right in the middle of their *Spring Break*, the Utah Grizzlies clinched a spot in the ECHL*s Kelly Cup Playoffs Saturday night when Las Vegas beat Victoria, 4-1. The loss by the Salmon Kings makes it mathematically impossible for them to catch the Grizzlies this season in the West Division standings.

No April Vacation This Season

The Grizzlies will be going to the post-season for the first time since the 2002-2003 season when the club was in the American Hockey League.

Officially Out Of Vacation Time

After 10 days off, the Grizzlies return to E-Center ice Wednesday hosting Alaska. Ten days without a game was a result of the revised ECHL schedule, which was released after Texas and Mississippi voluntarily suspended 2005-2006 operations following last summer*s hurricanes.

Back Home

Wednesday, the Grizzlies will play their first home game since February 17th, a 5-2 win over Stockton.

Team Season-High On The Line

The Grizzlies will be going for a season-high seventh straight home win at the E-Center on Wednesday. The Grizzlies previously won six straight games at home from October 29-November 24 during their nine-game winning streak. The team record for most home wins in a row is eight, set from January 3 * February 6, 1998.

Not In Our House

Despite being 0-4-1 playing the first-place Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, the Grizzlies are 2-0 versus Alaska in games played this season at the E-Center. (November 4, 4-1 Utah) (November 5, 3-2 Utah, overtime.)

One Big Head To Head

Battling for third place in the ECHL*s West Division, the Grizzlies and Idaho meet for the final time in the regular season Friday at the E-Center.

Big Games

This week, the Grizzlies will play games 4 and 5 of eight straight versus West Division playoff contenders. Six of those eight games are versus the Alaska Aces.

All-Star Acquisition

Friday, the Grizzlies announced the acquisition of former ECHL All-Star Nick Ganga from the Long Beach Ice Dogs in exchange for future considerations.

Trade Deadline Approaching

The ECHL*s trade deadline is Wednesday at 1 p.m. MT. Utah has made four major trades since the first week of the season.

Did You Know*

Four Alaska Aces played hockey at one time in Salt Lake City: Kimbi Daniels (Salt Lake Golden Eagles 93-94), Barrett Heisten (2001-2004), Peter Metcalf (2004-2005) and Mike Lee (2004-2005.)

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