ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Another Utah Comeback Leads To 4-3 Shootout Win

Published on February 13, 2010 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Boise, Idaho - The Utah Grizzlies (22-20-2-4) tied the game at three with 1:25 left to go in regulation and fought from behind down 3-1 in the shootout to defeat the Idaho Steelheads 4-3 Friday night at Qwest Arena.

The Grizzlies trailed from the outset and never led until the shootout game-winner. Utah was outshot 16-2 in the first period and quickly fell behind 1-0 as Idaho logged the first 12 shots of the game. The Grizzlies scored on their first shot of the contest as Lance Galbraith walked in unassisted to tie the game with 4:16 left in the first period and that score would stand until the first intermission.

In the second period, the Grizzlies again battled, but found themselves down again after a turnover in front of the Utah goal made it 2-1 at 8:08 of the frame. Utah made it 2-2 just 1:28 later as James Sixsmith won a draw following a media timeout that was thrown in by Peter Aston from the far point for his second goal of the year and first of the night. Idaho though responded 21 seconds later following the face-off to make it 3-2.

Utah tied the game with 1:25 left in regulation as Peter Aston threw another shot in from the point that landed in the back of the net. Matt Clarke picked up an assist.

The Grizzlies went shorthanded in the overtime as they took a penalty and went down four-on-three for two minutes. The minor was the first called in the contest since the 16:36 mark of the second period after the game had turned very physical. Utah, though, had a breakaway shorthanded when Matt Clarke forced the puck into the Idaho end but was denied by goaltender Richard Bachman. The Grizzlies then continued to respond through the adversity, easily killing the penalty and forcing the shootout.

In the shootout, Idaho scored on three of their first four chances before the Grizzlies scored in their final three chances with Vlady Nikiforov making it 3-2. Brett Parnham then forced the extra round with a patient move on Richard Bachman. In round six, with a chance to complete the comeback victory, rookie Tony Romano, who was previously 0-2 in shootouts buried the game-winner.

Utah goaltender Mitch O'Keefe (15-9-1-3) stopped 39 of 42 shots through overtime to earn the victory.

The Grizzlies improved to 2-1-0-2 on their current six-game road trip against the top two teams in the National Conference in Victoria and Idaho. Utah has battled from behind in four of the five contests to earn points.

Utah and Idaho complete their series Saturday in Boise. Face-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

The Grizzlies return home Wednesday to host Victoria and begin a five-game home stand. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from February 13, 2010


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