ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Beat up Grizzlies Stage Dramatic Comeback; Take Point and Fall in OT

Published on November 25, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies battled back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period to take a 4-3 lead before division leading Alaska tied with 33 seconds left and beat Utah 5-4 in overtime.

"That's an impressive game by our group, it would have been easy to fold the tent coming to the rink, let alone being down 3-1 going to the third, with just four defenseman and being short up front," said Head Coach Kevin Colley. "Those results are going to happen sometimes, when you deserve to win, but don't get the extra point, but it's about the process and how we played as a team and that's a real positive thing to build something on. I've been searching for four-five weeks for a game and something that we can build around and tonight was that game and we played shorthanded. The guys should hold their heads up high."

Shorthanded due to injuries, Utah, playing with only 13 skaters, which added up to nine forwards and four defensemen, took a solid game through 40 minutes up another notch as they started their dramatic third period comeback.

Alaska built a 2-0 lead before Drew MacKenzie knocked in a rebound and made it 2-1 10:48 into the second period. The Grizzlies then had a shorthanded chance with Brad Mills and Evan Stoflet racing up ice, but Utah was unable to tie and Alaska countered with a power-play goal to make it 3-1 at 15:25 of the frame.

The Grizzlies scored three goals in 3:59 from 8:03 to 12:02 of the third period to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 lead. Mitch Wahl took a feed from Riley Armstrong and made it 3-2 on his fourth goal of the year. Then 20 seconds after coming out of the penalty box, Utah co-captain Brad Mills raced up ice and hacked in his own rebound to tie the game. Utah took a 4-3 lead just 29 seconds later as Colin Vock crashed the net for his third goal of the year.

On the power-play late, with an extra-attacker, the Aces tied the contest with 33 seconds left and won it 3:36 into overtime.

Mills led Utah with one goal and two assists. Assistant captain Mitch Wahl had one goal and one assist with seven shots.

The Grizzlies return to Maverik Center next Friday and Saturday to host San Francisco at 7:05 p.m. each night. Fans who present a can of food at the box office will receive $5 off a ticket. Friday, anyone with a mustache will get discounted tickets starting at $7.50 to wrap up "Movember" as the Grizzlies bring awareness to men's health issues.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from November 25, 2012


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