ECHL Utah Grizzlies

7,337 Cheer Grizzlies to 2-1 Overtime Win

January 25, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (19-16-4-2) defeated the Bakersfield Condors 2-1 in overtime Saturday night at Maverik Center before 7,337 fans.

$16,075 was raised in the postgame jersey auction of the Grizzlies Guns N Hoses specialty uniforms.

Michael Pelech scored the game-winning goal 1:41 into overtime from Mathieu Aubin and Jacob Johnston to give Utah the win. The goal was Pelech's second of the night and team leading 21st of the year.

"It wasn't just 7-7 on the penalty-kill, it was a five-on-three, a four-on-three, a five-minute major, it was absolutely crazy what we battled through and overcame and found a way to win the game," said Grizzlies Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham.

Igor Bobkov stopped 25 of 26 shots, including three on the Utah penalty-kill in the final 4:33 of the contest to preserve the tie. The start was Bobkov's first for Utah since December 31 as he just rejoined the Grizzlies following the all-star break after being reassigned by the Anaheim Ducks from Norfolk.

"Their goalie was great, I thought Bobkov played great as well," said Branham. "I thought we generated enough opportunities to win the game in regulation, we just have to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net."

Utah went 7-7 on the penalty-kill, including 4-4 in the first period in which they killed 1:41 shorthanded five-on-three. The Grizzlies started the second period with a 1:54 four-on-three shorthanded situation to keep the game scoreless.

Pelech broke the scoreless tie 37:07 into the contest as he hammered in a loose puck as Mathieu Aubin led a 2-on-1.

The Condors tied the game with 11 seconds left in the second period.

The Grizzlies had to kill 3:37 of a major penalty to force overtime. The Grizzlies allowed only four power-play shots all night.

The Grizzlies are next in action Friday in Bakersfield at 8 p.m.

Utah returns home Friday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 7 at 8 p.m. to take on the Condors once again.

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ECHL Stories from January 25, 2015


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