Grizzlies Play Whack-a-Mole, Beat Phoenix 7-3
by Andrew Nordmeier
October 24, 2005 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners
For the second straight night, the Roadrunners broke down in the second period. After taking a 2-1 lead 39 seconds into the period on Cory Pecker's fourth goal of the year, the Utah Grizzlies rattled off five straight goals en route to a 7-3 win Sunday night at America West Arena.
That's when the floodgates opened up for the Grizzlies (2-1) and buried Phoenix netminder Michael Mole.
Barett Ehgoetz tied the game at 2-2 with his goal at 5:10. He found a little bit of room between the pads of Roadrunner netminder Michael Mole for his first professional goal. Tom Reimann scored his third goal in two nights when his bomb from the point found the back of the net at 7:17 and put the Grizzlies ahead 3-2. Utah's lead swelled to two goals when Matt Craig's wrister snuck under the crossbar past Mole at 15:48.
The real backbreaker was Garett Cameron's goal at 13:43 of the third period. He was in front of the net and tipped home a rebound from two feet out to give the Grizzlies a three-goal lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Phoenix (1-2) rolled the dice and pulled Mole for an extra attacker a couple times but the Grizzlies bagged a pair of empty-net goals in the final 90 seconds to leave no doubt about the outcome.
Ben Knopp and Joe Dusbabek scored for Phoenix in the losing effort.
The Roadrunners' special teams were weak again tonight as they allowed two power-play goals to the Grizzlies and are only killing off two-thirds of the penalties assessed against them.
Phoenix will take time to regroup this week before hosting the San Diego Gulls in a two-game series Friday night at America West Arena.
Three Stars
3.Pecker-PHX Scored a goal and fought had all night
2.Dumont-UTA Empty net goal and two assists
1.Craig-UTA Goal and two assists to lead the way
Notes: Attendance was around 1,500 on a Sunday night...These two teams will meet again six more times, the next round is in mid-November in Utah...The same set of officials (Travis Smith, Wally Lacroix, Kevin Latvala) worked all three games in the series...The road team won all three games in this series...Pecker finished the weekend with four goals and two assists and should get strong consideration for ECHL Offensive Player of the Week Award.
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- Grizzlies Play Whack-a-Mole, Beat Phoenix 7-3 - OSC Original by Andrew Nordmeier
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