Grizz coach criticizes officials after loss

WEST VALLEY CITY — Perhaps distracted by the scantily clad women in attendance for the rebirth of an old Salt Lake Golden Eagles tradition, the Utah Grizzlies did about as well in most of their hockey game Saturday as Grizzbee did in the Bikini Night competition.

Then again, some might argue Utah's mascot looked better in his grass skirt and coconuts than the lackluster Grizzlies did on the ice against the Chicago Wolves until late — too late — in their 3-2 loss.

Though they gave fans something to cheer about other than the swimsuit models with a third-period comeback attempt, the Grizz still saw their AHL-worst record drop to 19-45-1-4. They also dropped to 1-7-0-1 against the West Division-leading Wolves, who improved to 44-20-5-2 with their second win over Utah in as many nights.

As has oft been the case, the Grizz's penalty-kill unit, ranked last in the league, struggled when it counted. The Wolves' power-play teams notched three goals in the first two periods to seize control.

"We can't take penalties — that kills us," said Utah coach Pat Conacher, whose team entered the contest with a dismal 79.1 penalty-kill percentage.

What also killed the Grizz, he added, was the officiating of referee Dave Hansen and linesmen Matt Brickley and Dominick Valentine. Conacher blasted the crew for some "questionable calls" — from penalties to offsides — that led to eight power-play tries in the first two periods for Chicago.

"I think the refs are intimidated because they're the first-place team and the big dogs on the circuit," he said. "It's pretty tough when the referee thinks we're playing in a girls league with no contact. It's the worst officiating I've seen (in my 26-year career)."

Justified or not, Chicago took advantage of the man-advantage situations.

Brad Larsen put the Wolves up in the first, shortly after Utah's Justin Cox was penalized.

Cory Larose and Steve Maltais each pounded the puck in later power plays to take a 3-0 lead in the second period.

Penalties notwithstanding, the shot disadvantage midway through the game was a good indication of how one-sided the action was outside of the penalty box. It wasn't until 8:30 remained in the second when Utah finally got off its 10th shot. Chicago had 24 shots by then.

The Grizzlies finally turned it on in the third period, when Cox and Erik Westrum scored. But Utah followed each goal with quick penalties, making its comeback bid all the harder.

"He's calling penalties on us, and it takes your team right out," Conacher added. "But I'm not letting the players off for the first two periods. We didn't generate enough."

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