On Wednesday night, the Grizzlies found themselves facing the Rush for the ninth time this season, and the first of six straight games with something resembling a full lineup. Although they didn’t get Grayson Downing back, and Joey Raats was out with an illness both players traveled with the team, and they did get Jake Marchment back. Gabriel Verpaelst made his 2019 return to the Grizzlies as well, while Joe Cannata got the start.
First Period
- Rush have the Grizz not quite on their heels, but RC has the first four shots.
- Cannata has been quite sharp though.
- Marchment gets the first shot for Utah, and it’s a nice one. Unfortunately, Adam Carlson is a good goalie.
- First penalty of the game for Utah. Let’s see if they can keep their penalty kill streak going.
- And again…
- Better possession following that second penalty kill. Still only three shots though.
- Great defensive move by Turner Ottenbreit to break up a one-on-none without taking a penalty.
- Too much defensive zone time…lots of hitting on both sides though.
- 9-3 are shots for RC after a scoreless first period. Cannata’s been good.
Second Period
- You know who I miss? Austin Carroll. #ChaosOnSkates (Well, him and everyone else who’s been out for half a century.)
- Dickinson wastes absolutely no time getting the Grizzlies’ first shot of the second. (Actually, Chris Leibinger won the face-off so hard it counted as a shot on his own net. Where have we heard this before…)
- Not only is defenseman Leibinger playing forward, he’s playing center. How interesting.
- Good offensive zone shifts for the Grizzlies to start here.
- Can’t wait for the skills competition to see what that booming shot of Ottenbreit’s clocks in at.
- Shots are now 11-10 for RC, and Gage Ausmus draws a power play by taking a stick to the face.
- Take two on the power play is not going very well to start…
- Shots are now 11-11, so that’s good.
- This second period is much better for Utah than the first. Unfortunately, Carlson has been every bit as good as Cannata.
- Watching Caleb Herbert stick-handle is mesmerizing.
- Refs are definitely letting both sides play through what should probably have been penalties. At least they’re being consistent–which at the end of the day is all you can really ask for.
- Please someone in white score a goal…
- This game is gonna end 1-0 in the shoot out, isn’t it.
- You guys…I said someone wearing white…
- 1-0 Rapid City after two.
Third Period
- Please go play on the other end of the ice, boys.
- Everyone falls down. Utah draws a power play though. I think that is the second penalty Eric Freschi has drawn this game.
- Herbert gets hooked on what was nearly a breakaway, so they’re headed to the power play again.
- This is definitely one of their better power plays tonight. No goal though.
- Please someone tie this game up.
- This game is turning into a bit of a track meet. Lots of up and down and up and down.
- Some big hits from the Utah defensemen this game!
- Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout Shutout
- Not a lot of whistles this period. Lots of hard skating too.
- Gah! Oh thank you, post.
- It’s just one goal, but time is starting to run out…
- Well, I guess we’re gonna close this game out radio style seeing as we’ve got a black screen…
- Utah’s net is empty.
- Well, no empty netter for RC, but no tie game for Utah either.
- Grizzlies fall 1-0 in what might be the lowest scoring (and possibly most uneventful) game all season.
At the end of the day, both teams played strong defensive games, and Adam Carlson was just that one save better. It was good to get Marchment back, and Verpaelst looked very good on defense, which is certainly a good sign. Neither team gave up anything on the penalty kill (Utah is now 33/33 in the last six games), and the coming games should be good ones.
Photo courtesy of Action Sports Photography.
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