Tag: J.T. Henke

Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads: Fending Off the Steel

On a much less snowy night, the Grizzlies looked to give a repeat of Wednesday’s performance. With Sergei Boikov recalled to Colorado, Joey Raats drew back in, while Kevin Carr once again got the start.

First Period

  • Josh Dickinson and Kyle Schempp getting into it early along the boards.
  • Shots are 1-1 after the first four minutes, but it’d definitely be good if the play spent more time in the offensive zone…
  • Anderson and Moroz drop the gloves, and Moroz gets an extra two for instigating!
  • That was a silky, silky move by Herbert. And THAT was a very nice look by Henke.
  • Caleb Herbert is SO much fun to watch.
  • Marchment and his face-off wins. So reliable.
  • The Nantel-Downing-Herbert line has been so close to finding the back of the net so many times this period. Starting to get the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before they capitalize.
  • Idaho strikes iron on the power play, and there is a collective gasp from the crowd. But we’re back at full strength!
  • I don’t entirely understand how that Zahn shot didn’t go in.
  • THAT ONE’S IN FOR SURE. J.T. Henke makes it 1-0 on a rebound from Gage Ausmus and Dickinson!!

  • The back half of this period has been much better than the front. Everyone looks more engaged.

Second Period

  • Puck support and active sticks. Gotta love it.
  • So naturally, Idaho sores.
  • Carr’s had to make some extra athletic moves in the past couple minutes!
  • Some nifty mitts from Grayson Downing, and Herbert didn’t miss the net by much to finish it off.
  • Sholl with a CRAZY scramble there, and somehow no one beat him on the power play.
  • Herbert splits the D, but rings it off the cross-bar. He does draw a power play though!
  • THAT’S TWO FOR J.T.!!! Ottenbreit and Walters with the assists!
  • Walters with the stealth attack there.
  • 1:32 of 4-on-4 coming up now.
  • Dear Idaho, please stop flying into the Grizzlies’ net. You’re making making us all very nervous on Carr’s behalf.
  • OH GEEZ TAYLOR. Richart plays the role of Superman, saving the day by diving behind Carr and batting the puck out of danger!!!
  • OTTENBREIT.
  • 3-1 Utah after 40!!!
  • Even more impressive, they only allowed four shots!

Third Period

  • Richart is having himself a NIGHT. Big defensive move there to tie up the Idaho player in front of Carr.
  • Seriously, one of these days the incredibly close calls the first line is having will end up in the back of the net. That latest look by Nantel was crazy.
  • Matching minors now…Idaho is pressing…
  • Nantel absolutely flies in, but still can’t beat Sholl.
  • Carr’s stick work has been so strong this game.
  • Nantel with an amazing look short-handed. He’s got the trifecta of beautiful looks this game. Or, if you will, the hat trick of frustration.
  • Oh great. 5-on-3 for 33 seconds…
  • Idaho draws within one on the power play.
  • Well, they certainly had the right idea on that shift. Some really good passing to keep Idaho moving.
  • Four minutes is too much time with a one goal lead, and the notoriously good-in-the-third-period Steelheads…
  • Two minutes…
  • HERBERT INTO THE EMPTY NET.
  • We get chili, we get chili!!
  • Matching penalties…
  • …and a goal for Idaho…
  • GRIZZLIES HOLD ON FOR THE 4-3 WIN. 

Henke (2 goals), Ottenbreit (1 goal, 1 assist), and Ausmus (1 assist) were named the three stars of the game.

“It’s nothing fancy, just getting shots on net and getting lucky” said Henke about his penchant for finding the score board twice.”

He waxed far more eloquent about the team’s overall effort.

“We played great, holding a team like that to only 23 shots is pretty good, Carrsy stood on his head. They only had 23 shots, but they were all hard, Grade A shots, especially there at the end, and he came through huge.”

He wasn’t the only one to praise Carr’s play. When asked about his diving save in the second period, Taylor Richart was also quick to refer to the play which has helped the Grizzlies to points or wins in all three of his last stars.

“I was kind of boxing a guy out,” said Richart, “And I saw the shot come, and at the last second I saw it trickling through, so I knew I had to do something, cause I don’t think Carrsy saw it. But either way, I though he played really well. He’s been playing really well lately. All in all, I think it was a good defensive team effort.”

Head Coach Tim Branham was also pleased with the team’s efforts against a tough opponent.

“Our game plan is just keeping it simple. We’ve got so much talent and skill that we don’t need to cheat to make plays. When you keep things simple and you get pucks in, it keeps them back on their feet. It forces them to come 200 feet and we end up getting turnovers and scoring goals from it. We’ve just got to stick to that game plan. They’re able to score a couple of goals, five-on-three and whatnot, so really proud of how the boys battled through that adversity.”

He also praised the first line, who came agonizingly close to quite a number of goals throughout the game.

“Downing, Herbert, and Nantel, they’ve got everything. They have experience, they’ve got skill, they’ve got goal scoring, they should be dominating every single shift. I thought they were really close to scoring four goals themselves. I thought they had a really good game.”

“It’s been great.” He concluded, summing up the games against Idaho so far, “We got the four points. Tomorrow will be the biggest game of the series. We need to enjoy this one, rest up, and be ready to battle. It’s going to take everybody.”

That would be putting it lightly, as Idaho hasn’t lost two games in a row since November, and will no doubt be looking for some payback in today’s final game of the week.

Goals

  • Henke (Ausmus, Dickinson)
  • Henke (Ottenbreit, Walters) PP
  • Ottenbreit
  • Herbert (Zahn) EN

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Action Sports Photography

Utah Grizzlies @ Kansas City Mavericks: Keeping Things Close

On the front edge of a marathon road trip (six games in three cities in eight days), the Grizzlies looked to repeat last night’s strong game. Kevin Carr once again got the start, while Mike Economos drew in, and Kevin Davis was absent due to his recall to Colorado.

First Period

  • Mavs appear to have a little bit more intensity to their start tonight, which is to be expected, considering their excellent home record, and the game last night.
  • It’s also a much more physical game from the get go.
  • That looked like a guaranteed goal into an empty net. And then suddenly Kevin Carr.
  • Mason McDonald, not to be out done, stops Josh Dickinson all alone on the breakaway.
  • Consecutive penalties to both #7s. Hopefully KC’s power play is as quiet as ours was.
  • Welp, so much for that. Kansas City strikes first.
  • Present captain ran over former captain, and now we’ve got a fight!
  • Even better than that, we’ve got a power play.
  • Taylor Richart scores the best way he knows how, with a rocket!
  • A pretty even first period comes to an end, 12-8 are the shots for the Mavericks, game tied 1-1.

Second Period

  • Caleb Herbert wastes absolutely no time giving Utah the lead! He’s definitely hit his stride again.
  • Aaaand KC comes right back to make it 2-2 two minutes into the second. That’s a lot of twos.
  • That was a nice shot from Anderson!
  • Jack Walker with the battle to keep the puck in the offensive zone.
  • Carr with the save as KC steams in short-handed.
  • Not sure how Walker held onto that for as long as he did! That was quite impressive.
  • Some serious run and gun hockey here, both teams getting looks, the crossbar and Carr keeping an odd-man rush from turning into a KC lead.
  • Turner Ottenbreit takes a puck to the face, and KC scores in the aftermath. Hopefully he’s back for the third…
  • J.T. HENKE TIES IT AGAIN.
  • 3-3 after two, shots now 22-20 for Utah!

Third Period

  • Oh good. Turner’s back.
  • That was a nice, long opening offensive zone shift.
  • Jake Marchment making friends with the Kansas City bench, lol.
  • That was some seriously scrambly defense, but it did get the job done. Barely.
  • That was not ideal. 4-3 for KC, Carroll back to the box for his second slashing penalty this period.
  • And now we’re four-on-three. Oh dear.
  • Everyone out of the box with no change in score.
  • Empty net for the Grizzlies.
  • No empty netter, but no last minute goal for Utah either.
  • It was a very close game though.
  • 4-3 for KC, shots 27-24 for Utah.

The game was a good one, closely contested throughout in front of a sell-out crowd on the Mavs’ Military Appreciation night. Henke’s goal and assist earned him second star honors and he now has 25 points in 25 games, including points in four straight. Eric Freschi picked up two assists, and Herbert now has four goals in three games, and is only one point out of first place in the scoring race, despite eight fewer games.

The Grizzlies continue on their road trip, heading to Tulsa, where they will play two games against the Oilers on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

Photo courtesy of Tim Broussard and staff.

Utah Grizzlies @ Wheeling Nailers: Hammer Time

With the exception of Kevin Carr in net, the roster in Wheeling remained as they had in the Grizzlies’ win in Cincinnati, though Joey Raats took some shifts at forward.

First Period

  • Both teams exchanging power plays in the first five minutes. Sort of hard to tell how anyone looks when all we’ve got is a black screen… XD
  • Nailers out-shooting Utah 8-3, but sounds like the Sweet Carroll Line is off to a very hot start.
  • Henke strikes first!! He seems to be making quite the habit of that! McGauley and Barron get the assists.
  • Huzzah! We have video! And a power play!
  • Marchment and Walker created a very nice chance there.
  • Aaaaand now we’re five-on-four as Henke, Carroll, and Titcomb are all sent to the box.

Second Period

  • I still can’t believe the Grizzlies got J.T. Henke off waivers.
  • Lots of shots for Wheeling, would really appreciate it if Utah would go play in the offensive zone a little bit more than they are…
  • Oh that was a nice shot. Barron from Walters and Henke on the power play. 2-0 with half the period to go.
  • Carr bobbled there, but still got back in time to make the save.
  • Barron to the box.
  • Yes, you did hear right. Carr is 11-2-1 this season.

Third Period

  • Wheeling with four of the first five shots in the first 2:30, but fortunately, Carr is sharp.
  • Now six shots…though McGauley, Henke, and Economos had nice opportunities (which did not count as shots).
  • Ah that shift was more like it, and it draws a power play!
  • That is not a good power play.
  • Carr continues to be very, very good right now.
  • Tyson keeps mentioning the goalie thing that you don’t mention until they complete it, and it’s making me nervous.
  • It’s been a pretty uneventful period, but considering the score, that’s probably a good thing.
  • Uneventful, but Wheeling is still racking up shots.
  • Empty net for Wheeling…
  • If the Nailers ruin this in the last 40 seconds, I’m never gonna forgive them…
  • Marchment with the empty netter!!
  • With his second SHUT-OUT of the year, Carr improves to 12-2-1 this season, and the Grizzlies remain undefeated in 2019!!
  • Babies don’t belong in refrigerators, just saying.
  • 3-0 Utah!

Kevin Carr’s 30/30 saves easily earned him first star of the game, while Henke and Barron (both with a goal and an assist) got the second and third stars. It’s a very quick turnaround for the team, as they get on the bus tonight to head to Fort Wayne, where they will finish off the road trip tomorrow (Saturday).

Photo courtesy of Tim Broussard and staff.

Utah Grizzlies @ Cincinnati Cyclones: Measuring Up

For the first time in quite a while, the Grizzlies iced 16 skaters with Nolan De Jong, Josh Anderson, and Turner Ottenbreit all in the lineup. Joe Cannata got the start against Cincinnati, who have a number of former Grizzlies: Nate Mitton, Mitch Jones, and Eric Knodel.

First Period

  • Couple of great looks for the Grizzlies early.
  • Cannata misplays the puck and Cinci strikes first. In Cannata’s defense, he hasn’t played in quite a while.
  • Aaaand now Walters to the box. This is definitely not ideal.
  • Oh that was some sweet, sweet passing leading to Henke’s eleventh goal, and on the power play!

  • Some pushing and shoving leads to offsetting minors to Ottenbreit and Boomhower.
  • Lots of space here on the ice now that we’re four-on-three.
  • That is a GLORIOUS way to break the slump!! Walters with a very nice goal two-on-one with Richart.
  • So many penalties in this game.
  • 2-1 lead, shots 11-8 for us. A good start.

Second Period

  • Aaaand we’re tied again.
  • That was a very nice look from McGauley.
  • WHY would you start a shoving match in front of Cannata with Ottenbreit, Carroll, and Zahn standing right there? That seems like a bad idea!
  • Ausmus is having another strong game.
  • Economos gets run over and Josh Anderson takes exception, dropping the gloves with Justin Vaive.
  • This felt like a fairly uneventful period, even with the goal and the fight.
  • I SPOKE TOO SOON. I’M SO SORRY.
  • This was not ideal.
  • 3-2 after two.

Third Period

  • Walker got the first shot of the period just 12 seconds in, and no one else has got one in the next 4+ minutes.
  • Fight number two of the game goes to Carroll and Arvin Atwal who started a fight behind the play.
  • Aaaand we have another fight. Barron drops the gloves with Aquin this time.
  • Half a period to go, each team has only got one shot this period.
  • Considering the Grizzlies trail by one, we’re gonna need some more shots…
  • TIM MCGAULEY WITH A TERRIFIC SHOT.

  • And boy did that wake up both teams.
  • Well, regulation solves nothing!

OT

  • Cincinnati has all four shots in OT so far…
  • Fortunately Cannata has been SOLID in extra time.
  • That was a nice spinning shot from Walters.
  • That was an irritatingly good save from Houser.

Shootout

  • Round 1
    McGauley🚨
    Glotov 🚫
  • Round 2
    Walters 🚫
    Marnell 🚨
  • Round 3
    Walker 🚨
    Powell 🚫
  • WALKER GOES BAR DOWN!! He’s making quite a habit of winning shots!
  • CANNATA WITH THE SAVE!!
  • 4-3 GRIZZLIES!!!

Walker’s game winner earned him first star, Cincinnati’s Mike Marnell got second star, And Walters took third star with a goal and an assist.

The Grizzlies considered this meeting against the best team in the conference a “measuring stick game”. Considering it took a shoot-out to break the deadlock, and that the shots were a very close 36-32 for Utah, it would seem that they measure up very well. Utah remains on top of the Mountain Division, and holds games in hand on all of their division rivals. It might not have been the most dazzling game the Grizzlies have played this season, but they got the job done, and that’s what matters.

They will now head out to Wheeling for Friday’s game.

Utah Grizzlies vs Idaho Steelheads Recap: The Henke Show

Still short-handed on the blue line, the Grizzlies met the Steelheads in Idaho in a battle for Mountain Division supremacy. Tim Branham went with the hot hand, giving Kevin Carr the start. Tim McGauley also returned to the lineup, and Ryan Misiak remained Utah’s fifth defenseman.

Both teams began well, but Idaho got the first three shots followed by the first goal just before the three-minute mark. A minute later Jake Marchment dropped the gloves with Kale Kessy after the latter hit Caleb Herbert, both getting five for fighting and two for removing their helmets.

Utah remained shot-less, but drew a power play 6:01. Taylor Richart got the only shot of the advantage, and Idaho returned to full strength.

J.T. Henke kept his streak alive tying the game 1-1 at 8:57 on a completely uncontested centering shot from Tim McGauley. Richart got the secondary assist. Kyle Schempp got a boarding penalty at 9:17, and Utah tied up the shot clock 4-4.

Henke struck again at 15:10 slinging the puck easily past Ryan Faragher from Gage Ausmus and Joey Raats.

After 20, the shots were 8-5 in the Grizzlies’ favor, and they led thanks to the two Henke goals.

Misiak took a tripping call at 4:10, but Utah killed it off comfortably and Misiak had a good look on the breakaway coming out of the box. Henke had a bid for the hat trick, but couldn’t beat Faragher, and Carr had to make some big saves as Idaho pressured in the back-half of the period.

Teigan Zahn took an interference call, but Marchment and Jack Walker made things interesting for the Steelheads. The Steelheads got some of their own back, but Carr battled and kept Utah ahead.

Richart extended the lead at 18:19, scoring his third of the season from Mike Economos and Jack Walker. The assist was Economos’ first point for Utah. Brad McClure took a high-sticking call in the dying seconds, and after 40, shots were 17-14 for Utah.

The Grizzlies once again weren’t able to capitalize on the advantage, but Zahn made it 4-1 from Ausmus and Herbert at 2:36. The goals kept coming in and Julien Nantel made it 5-1 at 5:21 from Richart and McGauley.

Utah kept sharp, despite the big lead, continuing to outshoot the Steelheads through the third period, ultimately ending the game outshooting Idaho 29-20 with the commanding win.

Richart (1G, 2A), Henke (2G, including GWG) and Ausmus (2A) were the three stars, though Carr undoubtedly deserved mention for his performance.

 

Without Joe Cannata, Utah once again started Kevin Carr, with Chris Komma as the EBUG.

The first period of Saturday’s game did not begin very well. Utah looked a little flat in the early going once again, but this time they allowed three goals including a power play number in the first ten minutes.

Teigan Zahn and Kale Kessy dropped the gloves at 10:34, and at 14:50, J.T. Henke once again opened the scoring. By the end of the period, shots were 12-10 for Idaho, but the second half of the first was definitely an improvement on the opening.

The second period got off to decent start, then absolute chaos broke out. Economos got boarded, and Zahn, Walters, and Walker all took exception. When the dust settled, Walker got two for roughing, Geoff Crisfield got a ten minute misconduct, Clint Lewis got a roughing penalty, and Tony Calderone got a five minute boarding major.

Fortunately, Economos seemed to be alright, returning to the ice and taking a hooking call at 6:23.

Economos got out of the box, and in less than 20 seconds, first Walters scored from Ully and Misiak, then Henke tied the game from Nantel and Richart.

Kessy took a roughing call, but Idaho scored short-handed, and then after some extreme penalty nonsense, Brad McClure scored on the power play. As Adrian Denny would have said, I don’t know about that…

After two, shots were 29-18 for Utah, but Idaho led 5-3.

Though Utah continued to hold the shot advantage, an offensive zone turn over led to a 6-3 goal in the first five minutes. Things continued to go decidedly Idaho’s way, as they collected one more goal, despite Utah outshooting the Steelheads 36-21. Mitch Moroz and Mike Economos got into a tussle with 1:11 to go, and the game came to a merciful end.

Obviously it wasn’t the second game anyone would have wanted, but J.T. Henke continues to be outstanding–especially considering he was picked up off waivers. He’s now up to eleven points in ten games with the Grizzlies. It was also good to see the power play showing signs of life, going 2/5.

Utah returns home for Christmas still on top of the Mountain Division, and will face the Allen Americans to end the year.

 

 

Photo courtesy of Tim Broussard.