Game Preview: Dec. 7 Utah at Rapid City

Utah Grizzlies (8-8-3-1) at Rapid City Rush (15-5-3) Saturday December 7, 2019. 7:00 pm MST.  

Classic Country 1370, 104.3 FM HD-2. ECHL.TV.  

It’s the last of a 2 game series in the Black Hills. It’s the 4th season meeting between the clubs. Rapid City swept a 2 game series on October 25th and 26th. Rapid City won in overtime 5-4 as Peter Quenneville scored the game winner 40 seconds into OT.

Last Night: Tim McGauley and Taylor Richart Show

Tim McGauley scored 3 goals in his first game back after a 1 week stint in the AHL. It was the third hat trick by a Grizzlies skater this season (Josh Dickinson had back to back hat tricks on October 16th and 18th). It was McGauley’s 2nd hat trick in a Utah uniform. He had 3 goals in game 4 of the 2019 Kelly Cup playoff series vs Idaho. Taylor Richart also had a big game. He had 1 goal and 2 assists. 6 other Grizzlies skaters had 1 assist, including Griffen Molino, who was a +3 on the game.

Many Nailbiters

5 of the last 6 games have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. Utah has 8 games decided past regulation. That’s the third most in the league (Allen and Idaho 9 each).

Other Games vs Rapid City This year

October 25th – Rapid City Won 4-3. Josh Dickinson had 2 goals. Ryan Wagner 2 assists. Colin Jacobs added a goal. Mason McDonald stopped 25 of 29 shots. Utah 2 for 7 power play. Rapid City’s power play was 2 for 8. Kyle Klima had 4 goals.

October 26th – Rapid City Won 4-3 (shootout). Taylor Richart, Ryan Wagner and Yuri Terao each had a goal for Utah. Rapid City tied the game 3-3 with 1:17 left in regulation as Cedric Montminy scored. The game went into 7 rounds of a shootout and it was Montminy who had the game deciding goal. Utah was 1 for 8 on the power play and a perfect 5 for 5 on the penalty kill.

This Week’s Transactions

Forwards Ty Lewis and Tim McGauley return to the team for this weekend’s games at Rapid City. Lewis has 1 goal and 3 assist for Utah this season. McGauley leads the team in assists (10), Points (15) and plus/minus (+11).

3 OT Winners Last Homestand.

The Grizzlies were 4-1 in concluded 5 game homestand. All of them went past regulation.

November 22nd – JC Brassard 1:52 into OT.

November 23rd – Eric Williams 4:51 into OT.

November 27th – Joe Wegwerth 22 seconds into OT.

November 30th – Brandon Saigeon shootout game winner.

Power Play Last 6 games.

Utah is 7 for 25 on the power play the past 6 games. The Penalty Kill is also getting the job done. They are 25 for 29 the last 6 contests. Grizzlies have 3 shorthanded goals this year.

November Point Totals

Grizzlies went 6-5-1 in the month.

7 points – Felix Lauzon (1 G, 6 A) & Yuri Terao (3 G, 4 A).

6 points – Taylor Richart (3 G, 3 A) & Tim McGauley (1 G, 5 A).

5 points – Joe Wegwerth (2 G, 3 A), JC Brassard (2 G, 3 A) & Garrett Klotz (3 G, 2 A).

Grizzlies Among League Leaders

Defenseman Taylor Richart is tied for the lead among league defenseman with 6 goals and 4 power play goals. Taylor has 63 shots on goal, 4th most among defenseman. Patrick McGrath leads the league in penalty minutes with 70.

2019-2020 Regular Season Totals

Overall record: 8-8-3-1

Home record: 5-4-1.

Road record: 3-4-2-1.

Last 10 games: Utah is 5-4-1 

Goals per game: 3.25 (13th in the league).

Goals against per game: 3.30 (14th). 

Shots per game: 30.90 (Tied 12th).

Shots against per game: 28.55 (6th). 

Power play: 21.1 % (9th).  

Penalty Kill: 83.7 % (Tied 10th). 

Scoring By Period

First Period: Utah 19 Opponents 19.

Second Period: Utah 26 Opponents 24.

Third Period: Utah 16 Opponents 19.

Total Scoring: Utah 65 Opponents 66.

Previous Week's Record: Utah went 2-1.

Team Leaders

Goals: Josh Dickinson (9)

Assists: Tim McGauley (10)

Points: McGauley (15)

Plus/Minus: McGauley (+11) +3 last night.

PIM: Patrick McGrath (70) – Leads League

Power Play Points: Travis Barron (8)

Shots on Goal: Taylor Richart (63)

Wins: Jeff Smith (3)

Save %: Hunter Miska (.947)

Goals Against Average: Miska (1.62)

Upcoming Promotions

December 11th Newfoundland at Utah – Wild Wednesday and Bud Light College Night.

December 13th Newfoundland at Utah – Teddy Bear Toss Presented by Ford. KSL Quarters for Christmas Night. Friday the 13th = $13 tickets.

December 14th Newfoundland at Utah – Star Wars Night.

Grizzlies Player Awards

Josh Dickinson – October 2019 Player of the Month. He also was ECHL Player of the Week from October 14-20, where he had back to back hat tricks.

Hunter Miska – November 18-24 Goaltender of the Week.

Grizzlies Reschedule February game vs KC

The regularly scheduled Friday February 21st game at Maverik Center has been moved to Sunday, February 23rd at 5:00 pm. Tickets that were distributed for the game on the 21st will be good to use for the 23rd.

4 Have Played Them All

3 Players have appeared in all 19 regular season games. Taylor Richart, Eric Williams and Kevin Davis.

Hat Tricks This Season

Josh Dickinson – 2 (October 16th, 18th).

Tim McGauley – 1 (December 6th).