Grizzlies Gameday: Saturday Night Showdown in the Black Hills

Grizzlies Gameday: Saturday Showdown in the Black Hills 

Utah Grizzlies (29-30-3, 61 points, .484 Win %) @ Rapid City Rush (23-35-3, 49 points, .402 Win %) 

Date: March 23, 2024  Venue: The Monument

Game Time: 7:05 pm. 

Streaming/TV: FloHockey – https://www.flohockey.tv/events/11055465-2024-utah-grizzlies-vs-rapid-city-rush?nav_id=75  

Audio/Radio: Utah Grizzlies YouTube channel. – https://www.youtube.com/@THEUTAHGRIZZLIES

Saturday’s Matchup

It’s the second of a three-game series between the Grizzlies and Rush. It’s the eighth meeting this season between the clubs. Utah is 5-1-1 vs RC. The Grizz have scored 19 goals over their last 4 games. 

Brett Stapley has 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) in his last 10 games. Stapley is tied for 6^th  in the league with 45 assists and is 6^th in the league with 67 points. Brandon Cutler has 8 goals and 8 assists in his last 10 games. Kyle Mayhew leads all league rookie defensemen with 46 points (12 goals, 34 assists). Mayhew has a point in 7 of his last 10 games. Josh Wesley has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in his last 10 games. Wesley has 16 goals this season, which leads all league defensemen. Dylan Fitze hasscored 11 goals in his last 13 games. Utah is 6-0-3 in games decided past regulation. Utah is 21-3-2 when scoring first this season. The Grizz have outscored opponents 42 to 25 in the third periods over their last 26 games.

The Incredible Dynamic Duo of Cutler and Stapley

Brandon Cutler and Brett Stapley have been a tremendous dynamic duo which reminds Grizzlies fans of the great playoff run that Charle-Edouard D’Astous and Ben Tardif had in 2022. Cutler has 8 goals and 8 assists in his last 10 games. Cutler is tied for 3^rd in the league with 31 goals this season. He is 2^nd in shots on goal with 235. 

Brett Stapley has 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) in his last 4 games. Stapley ranks 6^th in the league with 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists). The 45 assists gives him a tie for 6^th in the league. 

Games This Road Trip 

March 22, 2024 – Utah 5 Rapid City 3 – Brett Stapley had 2 goals and 1 assist. Brandon Cutler had 1 goal and 2 assists. Dylan Fitze scored a first period goal. Mick Messner scored the game winner on a power play 10:54 into the third period. Josh Wesley had 2 assists. Rapid City got 2 goals from Mark Duarte. Utah outshot RC 42 to 28. The Grizz were 1 for 2 on the power play, Rapid City was 0 for 1.  

March 23, 2024 – Utah at Rapid City. 7:05 pm. The Monument. 

March 24, 2024 – Utah at Rapid City. 4:05 pm. The Monument. 

It will be the only series for Utah at Rapid City during the regular season. Utah is 5-1-1 vs RC this season. 

Alex Beaucage has 3 goals and 7 assists vs RC this season. Brandon Cutler has 5 goals and 3 assists. Rapid City’s Logan Nelson has 5 goals and 5 assists vs Utah. Alex Aleardi has 3 goals and 5 assists vs Utah. 

Utah 5 @ Rapid City 3 (Mar 22 2024)

Rapid City 5 @ Utah 1 (Mar 11 2024) 

Rapid City 4 @ Utah 5 (Mar 9 2024) OT 

Rapid City 3 @ Utah 2 (Mar 8 2024) OT

Rapid City 2 @ Utah 4 (Jan 27 2024) 

Rapid City 3 @ Utah 6 (Jan 26 2024) 

Rapid City 2 @ Utah 4 (Jan 24 2024)

Tickets for Grizzlies home games are available at utahgrizzlies.com or by calling (801) 988-8000. 

All Times Mountain. 

Games Next Homestand 

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Idaho at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. Smith’s Family Night. 

Friday, March 29, 2024 – Idaho at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. AFCU Friday. 

Saturday, March 30, 2024 – Idaho at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 – Kansas City at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. Smith’s Family Night. 

Friday, April 5, 2024 – Kansas City at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. AFCU Friday. 

Saturday, April 6, 2024 – Kansas City at Utah. 7:10 pm. Maverik Center. Fan Appreciation Night presented by Les Schwab. 

Brandon Cutler Joins Grizzlies 30 Goal Club 

Brandon Cutler scored his 30^th goal of the season on March 18^th vs Norfolk. Cutler is the first Grizzly to reach 30-plus goals since Caleb Herbert tallied 32 goals for the 2018-19 club. Current Grizzlies Head Coach Ryan Kinasewich is the only player to have multiple 30 plus goal seasons in team history. 

Grizzlies 30+ Goal Club

Brandon Cutler – 31 (2023-24). 

Caleb Herbert – 32 (2018-19). 

Paul McIlveen – 30 (2011-12). 

Ryan Kinasewich – 48 (2009-10). 

AJ Perry – 30 (2009-10). 

Tom May– 31 (2008-09). 

Kinasewich – 39 (2005-06). 

John Purves – 36 (1999-2000). 

Sean Tallaire – 31 (1999-2000). 

Brad Lauer – 31 (1998-99). 

Kip Miller – 38 (1997-98). 

Mark Lawrence – 36 (1997-98). 

Brett Lievers – 36 (1995-96). 

Military Night Miracle at Maverik Center 

On March 16^th the Utah Grizzlies overcame a 4-1 deficit late in regulation as they scored 3 goals in 68 seconds to tie the game. Kyle Mayhew scored a 5 on 3 power play goal 17:03 in. 48 seconds later Dylan Fitze scored a 5 on 4 power play goal to make it a one goal game. Just 20 seconds later it was Grizzlies captain Josh Wesley who scored on a one-timer from the slot to tie the game 18:11 in. Wesley scored the overtime game winner on a power play 1:30 in. An outstanding crowd of 8562 saw the game on Military Night presented by Mountainland Supply Company. Josh Wesley scored 2 goals and 1 assist on the night. Kyle Mayhew had 1 goal and 2 assists. Cole Gallant had 1 goal and 1 assist. Brett Stapley had 3 assists, including the main assist on the overtime game winner. 

Recent Transactions: 

March 22 – Grizzlies sign defenseman Cody Corbett.

March 20 – Grizzlies sign defenseman Liam Dennison.

March 20 – Grizzlies released forward Dean Yakura.

March 18 – Grizzlies sign goaltender Jarrett Fiske.

March 16 – Grizzlies sign forward Luke Manning.

March 9 – Grizzlies release forward Jeremiah Addison. He appeared in 6 games with Utah and had 1 goal and 1 assist. 

Grizzlies Among League Leaders

Brett Stapley is 6^th in the league with 67 points. Stapley is tied for 6^th in the league with 45 assists. Brandon Cutler 2^nd in the league with 235 shots on goal. Cutler is tied for 3^rd in the league with 31 goals. Josh Wesley leads the league in goals among defensemen with 16. Wesley leads league defensemen with 7 power play goals and is 3^rd among defensemen with 164 shots on goal. Kyle Mayhew is 6^th among league defensemen with 46 points. The 46 points for Mayhew leads all rookie defensemen. Mayhew is 3^rd among league rookies with 15 power play assists. 

Grizzlies Player Notes 

#7 Brett Stapley has 21 points (6g, 15a) in his last 10 games. Stapley has a point in 16 of his last 21 games. Stapley leads Utah with 45 assists and 67 points. He leads Utah with 17 multiple point games. 

#13 Dylan Fitze has 11 goals and 3 assists in his last 13 games. 

#20 Josh Wesley leads all league defensemen with 16.  Wesley leads all league defensemen with 7 power play goals. Wesley is 3rd among league defenseman with 165 shots on goal. Wesley has 5 goals and 6 assists in his last 10 games. 

#21 Tyler Penner has appeared in 206 consecutive regular season games for Utah, 230 if you include the playoffs. 

#24 Nathan Burke is 4^th on the club with 18 goals.  

#25 Cole Gallant has 2 goals and 6 assists in his last 9 games. Gallant has 7 different 2 assist games. Gallant has a point in 3 of his last 4 games. 

#26 Alex Beaucage scored 2 goals and 3 assists vs RC on March 8. Beaucage has 7 points (2g, 5a) in his last 6 games and 9 points (4g, 5a) in his last 8 games. Beaucage has 90 shots in 19 games. He has a point in 10 of his 19 games with Utah. Beaucage was the league’s Player of the Week for March 4-10, 2024. 

#27 Kyle Mayhew has 12 points in his last 10 games (4g, 8a). Mayhew leads all league rookie defenseman with 46 points (12g, 34a). Mayhew is 3rd among league rookies with 15 power play assists. 

#29 Brandon Cutler has 8 goals and 8 assists in his last 10 games. Cutler is 2^nd in the league with 235 shots on goal and is tied for 3^rd with 31 goals. Cutler and Wesley are tied for the Grizzlies lead with 7 power play goals. Cutler has 14 multiple point games this season. 

Bear Bites: Grizzlies Team Notes 

The Grizzlies are home for 6 of their last 10 games. Utah has won 11 of their last 16 home games (11-3-2 record). Utah is 19-9-2 at home this season, outscoring opponents 102 to 88. Utah is averaging 6,789 fans per game over their last 18 home games. Utah has had 8 home games with over 7,600 fans. Utah is averaging 5,868 fans per game and is on pace for their largest average attendance since the 2002-03 season when the Grizz averaged 6353 fans per game when the club was in the AHL. Utah is 6-3 in games past regulation this season. Utah is 21-3-2 when scoring first this season. Utah has scored 5 shorthanded goals this season. Utah is 15-2 when leading after 1 period and 16-2-1 when leading after 2 periods. Utah is 10-0 at home when leading after 1 period. Utah has outscored opponents 42 to 25 in the third periods over their last 26 games. The Grizz are 10-10-1 in their last 21 road games. 

Players Who Have Appeared in Every Game 

There are 3 players who have appeared in all 62 games for the Grizzlies this season. They are forwards Brandon Cutler, Mick Messner and Tyler Penner. 

2023-2024 Utah Grizzlies Regular Season Totals (league rankings) 

Overall record: 29-30-3

Home record: 19-9-2 

Road record: 10-21-1 

Win percentage: .492

Streak: Won 1. 

Standings Points: 61

Last 10: 5-3-2

Goals per game: 3.24 (12^th) Goals for: 201

Goals against per game: 3.60 (23^rd) Goals Against: 223

Shots per game: 31.40 (14^th) 

Shots against per game: 33.92 (23^rd) 

Power Play: 39 for 196 – 19.9 % (15^th )

Penalty Kill: 146 for 195 – 74.9 % (28^th) 

Penalty Minutes: 660. 10.65 per game. 

Shorthanded Goals: 5. 

Shorthanded Goals Allowed: 7. 

Record When Scoring First: 21-3-2. 

Opposition Scores First: 8-27-1. 

Record in One Goal Games: 11-8-3. 

Games Decided Past Regulation: 6-0-3

Team Leaders 

Goals: Brandon Cutler (31)  

Assists: Brett Stapley (45) 

Points: Stapley (67) 

Plus/Minus: Bryan Yoon (+11) 

PIM: Cutler (75) 

Power Play Points: Stapley (20) 

Power Play Goals: Brandon Cutler (7) 

Power Play Assists: Mayhew (15) 

Shots on Goal: Cutler (235) – 2^nd in the league. 

Shooting Percentage: Nathan Burke (14.8 %) - Minimum 55 shots. 

Game Winning Goals: Cutler/Stapley (4) 

Wins: Dante Giannuzzi (12) 

Save %: Trent Miner (.917) 

Goals Against Average: Miner (2.75) 

Shutouts: Giannuzzi/Garrett Metcalf (1) 

Multiple Point Games 

17 – Brett Stapley 

14 – Brandon Cutler 

12 – Cole Gallant

8 – Nathan Burke. 

7 – Dylan Fitze, Mick Messner, Josh Wesley. 

6 - Kyle Mayhew. 

3 – Aaron Aragon, Alex Beaucage, Adam Berg, Dakota Raabe, Bryan Yoon. 

2- Kyle Betts, Jordan Martel, Tyler Penner, Jacob Semik. 

1 – Jeremiah Addison, J.C. Campagna, Gianni Fairbrother, Ryan Sandelin, Robbie Stucker, Keoni Texeira, Quinn Wichers, Dean Yakura. 

Streaks 

Goals: Brandon Cutler (3) Brett Stapley (2) Dylan Fitze, Mick Messner (1)

Assists: Cutler, Stapley (4) Adam Berg (2) Aaron Aragon, Cody Corbett, Kyle Mayhew, Josh Wesley (1) 

Points (2 or more): Cutler, Fitze Stapley (4) Berg (3) Mayhew (2)