Utah Grizzlies: Grizz looking to clinch playoff bid with Vegas win

Published: Friday, March 14, 2008 12:34 a.m. MDT
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LAS VEGAS — The Utah Grizzlies (31-24-1-5) have two chances tonight to clinch that playoff berth they've been seeking for a week. If Bakersfield loses to Alaska, or if Utah opens its five-game road trip tonight at Las Vegas with a win, Utah is in the ECHL postseason. The Grizzlies have won 11 of their last 15 road games and are eighth in the league with 36 points earned away from home.

Utah will have to do it without forwards Ryan Kinasewich, who was involved in five of Utah's eight goals last week and was averaging 1.4 points a game. The Grizzlies' No. 2 scorer (49 points) was called up to AHL Bridgeport Wednesday, along with forward Olivier Labelle and defenseman Jeff Dwyer.

Las Vegas leads the ECHL National Conference with 88 points on a 38-11-5-7 record and is led in scoring by Peter Ferraro with 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points. It has the league's No. 2 goalie in Kevin Lalande with a 1.98 goals-against average.

Utah is led by Scott Burt's 53 points and 48 from Keith Johnson. Goalie Mike Mole is 18-12-1-4 with a 3.38 GAA.

Following tonight's game at 8 MDT, Utah is at Las Vegas Saturday and then plays at Victoria next Wednesday, Friday and Saturday before returning to the E Center March 26 with Las Vegas.

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