Utah Sweeps Up Penguins

By BRETT PRETTYMAN Special to the Times Leader
Friday, October 26, 2001 Page: 1B

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – If the Wilkes-Barre Penguins had their choice, they
would change their vote allowing the Utah Grizzlies into the AHL. The
Penguins’ first trip to Utah proved disappointing after back-to-back losses at
the E Center.

Thursday’s 4-2 loss came despite two power-play goals. The Penguins (1-8-1)
remain winless on the road (0-6) and have lost four in a row.
Peter Ratchuk got things started 5:36 into the game, sending a big slapper
at Utah goalie Wade Flaherty, who got a piece of the puck, but not enough. The
Penguins were on a 5-on-3 power play at the time.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton failed to score on the next four minutes of a major
penalty being served by Utah’s Roman Lyashenko for highsticking Penguin
defenseman Rob Scuderi in the face.

The Grizzlies, the top affiliate of the Dallas Stars, responded at the

Tallas after a hard rebound. Utah forward Jon Sim continued his hot touch,
scoring his fourth goal in two nights against Wilkes-Barre early in the second
period.

Tallas got the start in favor of Sebastien Caron, who started in
Wednesday’s 4-2 loss. Caron entered that game against the Grizzlies with a

even-strength goal. His goals-against average dropped to 6.72 after the game.

Penguin forward Billy Tibbetts continued to draw the ire of the Grizzlies
and the Utah fans with his feisty play. Tibbetts drew boos from the crowd
after losing his edge chasing the puck into the Utah end and crashing into the
net.

Tibbetts drew cheers from the crowd after receiving a five-minute major
penalty for highsticking Utah defenseman John Erskine in the face early in the
third period. Tibbetts was ejected from the game for the infraction.

The Grizzlies scored during the ensuing power play to make it a three-goal
lead. Utah had made it a two-goal lead 46 seconds into the third period when
Lysahenko beat Tallas through a screen.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton scored its second power-play goal of the night with


The Penguins finish their first trip to Utah 0-2 and return home for games
Sunday and Tuesday against Quebec.

The Grizzlies visit Pennsylvania in February to complete the four-game
series.