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WEST VALLEY CITY — The Utah Grizzlies are off to a strong start and rolling along early in the ECHL season, but the players and their coach know they need to remain grounded in their success.
Out to an 8-3-1 record to begin the year, the Grizzlies already lead the ECHL's West division by six points despite playing fewer games than the team directly behind them. They have the fourth-most goals scored in the league through 12 games, and have won five consecutive contests, including an always-tough three-game road swing in Alaska. Coach Tim Branham knows they can't get ahead of themselves this early, however.
"We've just got to make sure we're not too high in the highs and not too low in the lows, and just keep our foot on the gas and keep plugging away," Branham told KSL following the team's victory over the Colorado Eagles Wednesday night.
Much of their success has come through an ability to score on anyone, with a roster Branham has said contains some of the most skill of any group he's coached in Utah. The Grizzlies boast two players in the top 10 for league point scoring, and 23-year-old Matt Berry is tied for second in goals and leads all rookies in total scoring.
That they've had this success while missing a few key pieces up front is even more impressive.
"I think we're really confident with our team right now," said forward Ryan Walters, leading the team and tied for third in the ECHL with 14 points. "Lot of skill, and [that's] even with Barry Almeida, [TJ] Syner, Camden Wojita and Mathieu Aubin out — that's four starting guys that we're missing right now. Just goes to show what kind of team we've got this year."
It's no coincidence the Grizzlies are a deeper and more talented group than in previous years. Branham said as much before the year began, and has continued to make it a point of emphasis. The age trajectory of many of his key players is another big factor for him in the positive results they've been seeing.
"This group is special to me because they're so young — we have 11 rookies on our team," Branham said. "[They're] so young, but they're so hungry. They're eager to listen, they're eager to learn, eager to get better each and every day. It's really fun to be around."
Despite all this, the biggest reason for the team's recent run might actually be on the other end of the ice. Goaltender Ryan Faragher, back from a call-up stint with the AHL's San Diego Gulls (Utah's feeder team which then feeds to the NHL's Anaheim Ducks) for the start of the three-game sweep in Alaska, has been fantastic both before and after his time in San Diego.
Faragher now boasts a perfect 8-0-0 record while in goal for the Grizzlies this year, the only starter left in the ECHL who has yet to lose a game of any kind. He's stopped 251 of 268 shots taken against him on the year, good for a .937 save percentage that places him sixth in the league.
"Fans that may not know, they may look like routine saves, but a couple of them were point blank there in the third period and he makes them look easy," Branham said of Faragher's 27-save performance against Colorado. "He definitely gives us confidence. We know he's rock solid back there, and he's going to make timely saves for us."
"We give out a helmet at the end of every game for player of the game, and he could easily get it every night," Walters said of Faragher.
Lastly, the way the team has been able to increase its level as games wear on has been a big boon. The ECHL mandates active rosters that allow for three lines of forwards and defense, unlike the levels above that allow for four apiece — players are asked to skate more, and need to be in top shape.
The Grizzlies have begun dominating the final frame in the last couple weeks, a sign that they're wearing down less easily than opponents. They outscored the opposition 9-1 in the third period over the first four games of their current streak, and were particularly dominant against Colorado, allowing only eight total shots in the period. A letdown in the final frame Friday night against Rapid City was remedied by an overtime goal by Alex Krushelnyski, his first career professional hat trick.
"I think it's just our willingness to compete," Faragher said of the play in front of him. "As the game wears on, we're not getting tired, we're getting stronger. I credit that to our practice habits — we skate after practice to keep in shape."
Put it all together, and there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited about this young group. They'll get some of their high-end talent back in short order, and so long as Faragher remains in town and between the pipes, they know they have a shot against anyone. All that remains now is to stay hungry, which doesn't seem like a problem for this group.
The Grizzlies take on the Rapid City Rush in the second game of their homestand Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
