Aeros top Grizzlies, 5-2
Published on March 23, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
HOUSTON, TX - The Grizzlies started strong against Houston on Wednesday night scoring just 32 seconds into the game but the Aeros responded scoring five of the next six goals en route to a 5-2 victory over the Grizzlies maintaining their postion in the Western Division playoff race..
It didn't take long for the Grizzlies to continue their hot play as just 32 seconds into the game Kiel McLeod backhanded a shot by former Grizzly Mike Smith. For McLeod, it was his 10th goal of the season assisted by Fredrik Sjostrom and it marked the fastest goal of the season scored by Utah. The Aeros came back to tie the game at 15:36 when with a controversial goal as Rickard Wallin appeared to redirect a Jeremy Reich pass under the crossbar but referee Dean Morton and the goal judge neither indicated it was a goal. After Houston protested and the referee consulted with both linemen he ruled it was indeed a goal. For Wallin, it was his 10th goal of the season assisted by Reich and Dan Cavanaugh. Houston outshot the Grizzlies 9-8.
Houston came soaring back with a couple of second period goals, the first coming on the power play early in the second. Mikko Koivu set up Pierre-Marc Bouchard for his 11th goal of the season with Koivu and Kirby Law getting the helpers at 1:42 of the second period. Houston added to their lead with a wrist shot by Dan Cavanaugh, his sixth goal of the season. Bouchard drew the lone assist. Utah gained some late period momentum and Aero killer Jakub Koreis capitalized with his fourth goal of the season, all against the Aeros. Aaron Gavey and Erik Westrum drew the assists. The Aeros outshot the Grizzlies 13-10 and held a two period total lead of 22-18 as David LeNeveu had 19 saves through two periods and Smith had 16 saves.
The Grizzlies couldn't gain any ground in the third period as Kirby Law fired a shot early in the period that snuck in behind LeNeveu for his 20th goal of the season. Houston added an empty-net goal by Raymond Giroux, his 10th of the season, putting the game away for the Aeros who break a three-game winless streak.
Houston outshot the Grizzlies 34-24 in the game as LeNeveu made 29 saves and Smith won his 17th game of the season making 22 saves.
Utah will head home to face the Chicago Wolves on Friday night with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM (mst).
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