Grizzlies face off against Griffins

WEST VALLEY CITY — With a five-game losing streak and a long month on the road to look forward to, the Utah Grizzlies conclude their six-game homestand tonight and Saturday against the league-leading Grand Rapids Griffins.

With 62 standings points and a 27-12-8-0 record, the Griffins are two points ahead of any other team in the league. Grand Rapids has not lost since Jan. 3, winning six and tying four since then, including a 2-2 tie with Utah in Michigan on Jan. 9.

Utah, meanwhile, is in last place in the Western Division by five points with a 14-25-4-3 (35) record and is seven points out of a playoff-qualifying position.

After this weekend's games, the Grizzlies embark on a four-game road trip and will play 12 of their next 16 games on the road.

Grand Rapids is led by center Nathan Robinson, 13th in the AHL with 38 points, and left wing Michael Picard (34 points). Goalie Marc Lamothe ranks fifth in the AHL with a 1.93 goals-against mark and 16-10-5 record. Utah's Jarrod Skalde has 37 points.

Both games start at 7 p.m. at the E Center.

The Grizzlies have made six roster changes this week, signing left wing Charles Linglet to a professional tryout contract and regaining goalie Mike Smith and center Antti Miettinen from the parent Dallas Stars. Utah sent goalie Jason Bacashihua to the Stars and center David Bararuk and forward Brett Draney to its ECHL affiliate in Boise.