From Deseret News archives:
Grizzlies to host Texas Wildcatters
The Texas Wildcatters, at 31-16-9 atop the South Division of the American Conference, make their E Center debut tonight at 7 against the reeling 19-30-5 Grizzlies, who've lost four straight games and seven of their last 10 as they begin a six-game homestand. Texas has a two-game losing streak, falling both times to Stockton.
The Wildcatters stay in Utah for games Friday and Saturday as well. The Wildcatters, who suspended operations last season due to hurricane damage in Beaumont, are 4-3-2 against teams from the National Conference. The previous two seasons, the Wildcatters did not do well, but they have made a turnaround under coach Malcolm Cameron, who last season was with Long Beach.
Utah has 18 games left in the 2006-07 regular season, 12 of them at home, as it tries to climb into the Kelly Cup playoffs for the second straight season. The Grizzlies are six points out of fourth place in the ECHL West and a playoff spot, but they also play that current fourth-place team, Victoria, six more times, meaning there is hope for a move.
In the absence of injured leading Grizzly scorer Ryan Kinasewich, Joel Irving has stepped up with five goals and eight assists in his last 10 home games. Kinasewich has 59 points in 44 games, 11th in the league, right behind Wildcatters Mike Bayrack (62) and Kevin Baker (60). Irving has 18 points in 21 games since joining the Grizzlies. He had 25 points in 29 games with Bakersfield.
E-mail: lham@desnews.com
