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Utah Grizzlies

Idaho Takes 2-1 Series Lead with Second Overtime Win

April 19, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Idaho Steelheads scored 2:09 into sudden-death overtime to defeat the Utah Grizzlies 5-4 Saturday night at Maverik Center and take a two games to one series lead in the best-of-seven.

"I don't know how many chances we had in overtime before they did, but that's the way it goes," said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. "Their goalie made some big saves. We have to keep battling."

The series resumes Friday and Saturday in Boise.

"We have a lot of injuries we're battling through," said Branham. "This week off will really get us healthy so we can come back out with a full effort. If we can get everyone back, we just have to get to work and take it one game at a time."

The contest was the third-straight game in the series tied in the third period, the third-straight game decided by a goal and the third straight game in which one of the teams was unable to hold a two-goal lead.

"We had a breakaway and another point blank opportunity in overtime," said Branham. "We got a little unlucky there at the end of the game. I thought we should have been on the power play. We had our chances in overtime and that's the way it goes."

It is the second time in four evenings and the second time in three games that Idaho picked up a fortuitous win in overtime.

Idaho led 1-0 and 4-3 for 52 seconds late in the third period before the Grizzlies rallied to tie at one and take a 3-1 lead.

90 seconds after the Steelheads made it 1-0, Ryan Hayes blasted a cannon from the slot off of a face-off win by Cam Wojtala and the game was even 13:01 into the first period.

"We have to thank Krushelnyski for that one," said Hayes. "He came up with the play before we came out for the face off. Wojtala won the draw and we executed well. I had to put that one home to tie it up." Connor Hardowa and Alex Krushelnyski picked up assists.

Utah made it 2-1 with 31 seconds left in the first as Brenden Walker walked to the net and buried the shot from Michael and Matt Pelech.

Utah made it 3-1 on Danick Paquette's 4th goal of the series as he went hard to the net after H.T. Lenz won a battle going to the net from the neutral zone.

Idaho tied the game at three with two goals late in the second period and it was 3-3 going to the third period. The first goal was thrown in and bounced off of a body in front, the tying goal came on the power-play.

The Steelheads again scored on a lucky bounce with 1:47 left in the third period as a loose puck was thrown in from behind the net and somehow game them a 4-3 lead.

Again, Utah answered, this time 52 seconds later on another goal scored by Ryan Hayes with an extra attacker.

"Hayes is a guy that scores big goals," said Branham. "Every time the team is down he responds. He wants to win more than anything. You need more guys like that to step up. He's laying his heart out there every shift."

Utah tied the game with 55 seconds left in regulation after Hayes just missed on a blast from the slot. Michael Pelech and T.J. Syner picked up assists on the play.

"Their fourth goal was just a lucky bounce," said Mathieu Aubin. "We could have just given up but we worked hard when the goalie was out. What a pass by Pelech and a good finish by Hayes."

*Game 1: Wednesday, April 15: Idaho 3 Utah 2 (Overtime)*

*Game 2: Friday, April 17:* *Utah 3 Idaho 2*

*Game 3: Saturday, April 18:* *Idaho 5 Utah 4 (Overtime)*

*Game 4: Friday, April 24:* Utah at Idaho, 7 p.m.

*Game 5:** Saturday, April 25: Utah at Idaho, 7 p.m.*

***Game 6: Monday, April 27: Idaho at Utah, 7 p.m.*

***Game 7: Wednesday, April 29: Utah at Idaho, 7 p.m.*

*** If Necessary*

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