Grizz return to form, lose 4-1 to Barons

WEST VALLEY CITY -- So much for the turnaround.

The Utah Grizzlies returned to familiar territory Saturday night at the E Center, falling 4-1 to the Cleveland Barons before 6,646 fans. One night after breaking an eight-game losing streak, the Grizzlies ensured there would be no ensuing winning streak. Utah fell behind 4-0 midway through the second period on the way to falling to 10-28-0-2.

"In 24 hours, it changes quickly," Utah coach Pat Conacher said.

Conacher had hoped Friday's victory, coming on the heels of a disastrous road trip, would spark something of a turnaround in what has been a brutal season so far. Instead, the team with the worst record in the AHL dug deeper into the cellar. "We've talked about when we're going to turn the corner," Conacher said.

"(Friday) night we played a pretty good game. I thought maybe that was the game, but I guess not. You think you see signs, but I guess I saw the wrong signs."

Power-play scoring doomed the Grizz on Saturday. Cleveland's first goal came just seconds after Utah's first penalty expired when Josh Pruden forced the puck past Utah goalie David LeNeveu. Cleveland's second goal came on a Doug Murray slapshot from straight-away during a power play, making it 2-0 after one period.

"Right from the start, they were more desperate than us," Conacher said. "They beat us in all three zones."

Utah actually showed a burst of life in the second period, outshooting Cleveland 20-11. But Cleveland outdid the Grizz where it counted most, tallying two more goals. The Grizz's lone goal came courtesy of Aaron Gavey, who scored on a power play at 15:08 in the second period.

"Sure, we got it going a little bit in the second period," Conacher said. "But by then it was out of reach. Every team in this league is too good to play like that. Catch-up hockey is losing hockey."

Although officials are not eligible, referee Dave Hansen made a run at notching one of the game's stars. He managed to dole out 74 penalty minutes and 29 infractions in a game in which no one dropped the gloves.

"We deserved (the penalties)," Conacher said. "Those were lazy penalties. That's what happens when you don't skate and just reach out and grab people."

Utah's next game is at home this Wednesday against Chicago. Conacher can only hope that elusive turnaround will begin then.

"These guys have got to realize that winning is a hard thing to do," Conacher said. "They've got to play hard from the first shift on."

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