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AHL Utah Grizzlies

Don't Feed the Bears Takes on a New Meaning at the Toyota Center

November 28, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


HOUSTON, TEXAS- The Grizzlies put a new meaning to *don't feed the bears* on Sunday at the Toyota Center as the physical game was on display from the beginning that by the time it ended saw the Utah Grizzlies and the Houston Aeros combine for 212 penalty minutes, 18 major penalties and 7 game misconducts. In the actual hockey game, the Aeros used three power play goals en route to a 5-2 victory. The win ended Utah's two-game road winning streak and the Aeros two-game home losing streak.

Each team had some offensive chances in the opening period with Houston mustering 13 shots to Utah's seven. The Aeros scored the first goal of the game when Mikko Koivu knocked a rebound past Jean-Marc Pelletier for his third goal of the season. Junior Lessard and Rickard Wallin drew the assists. Utah would answer quickly with Erik Westrum following a Fredrik Sjostrom shot for his third goal of the season. Jarrod Skalde had the second assist giving him assists in back-to-back games. A late Aero's power play would re-gain the lead for Houston as Kyle Wanvig took a great feed from Mark Cullen to beat Pelletier for his fourth goal of the season.

In the second period, the Grizzlies responded to be being down very quickly as Westrum scored a nifty goal banking the puck off the back skate of rookie Josh Harding. Skalde and Sjostrom once again drew the assists. Westrum's second goal was scored just 48 seconds into the period making it the quickest goal to start a period for Utah this year. Both teams would benefit from a five-minute major penalty later in the second period but it was Houston who took advantage with Zbynek Michalek scoring the Aero's second power play goal of the game. Wallin and John Erskine earned the assists. Utah outshot the Aeros 9-8 in the period.

Houston would take control in a fight-filled third period with Koivu scoring his second goal of the game on a great one-timer that beat Pelletier at 3:44 of the third. Houston added their third power play goal of the game at 12:28 on Rickard Wallin's third goal of the season and fourth point of the night. Koivu drew one of the assists giving him three points in the game.

The final period saw six fights and penalty minutes and saw Jeff Taffe draw a five minute major for charging Houston goaltender Josh Harding who was injured on the play with four seconds remaining. Those circumstances led to two fights after the final horn.

Houston outshot Utah 10-8 in the third period and 31-24 in the game and for the Aeros the difference was on the power play where they went 3 for 6. Utah finished the game 0 for 6 with the man advantage.

The Grizzlies will play the Chicago Wolves on Tuesday night at the 'E' Center with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2004


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