ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Beat Alaska 4-3, with 1,000 Teddy Bears Flying

Published on December 11, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Alaska Aces 4-3 Wednesday night at Maverik Center.

1,052 stuffed animals were thrown onto the ice in the team's Teddy Bear Toss when Mathieu Aubin scored on the Grizzlies first shot of the night 1:53 into the game as he took a pass from Michael Pelech as Alex Gallant started the play up ice.

The Grizzlies made it 2-0 4:25 into the period as Pelech and Aubin got the puck to Jacob Johnston and he fired from the high slot for his fourth goal of the season.

"We were really prepared and ready to go, we came out flying and it was great for us," said Johnston. "We came off of a rough weekend, so everyone was really prepared and focused, we had a great skate this morning, so everyone was feeling good coming into this one."

3-0 was the score 9:57 into the period as H.T. Lenz tipped in his sixth goal of the year on the power-play with Aubin registering his third point of the night and Johnston added his second with an assist as well.

"We were ready to go tonight," said Lenz. "You have to bring it every day in pro hockey."

Alaska scored late in the first and late in the second to make it 3-2 entering the third.

"We got off to a great start," said Grizzlies Head Coach/GM Tim Branham. "We got the early 3-0 lead, Alaska is a very good team, they are very well coached and they responded as we knew they would."

The Grizzlies made it 4-2 with 7:23 left in the third period as Lenz and Camden Wojtala battled in the corner and found captain Channing Boe on his first goal of the year as he returned after missing 16-straight games injured.

After Alaska made it 4-3, Utah held them scoreless until the final buzzer and won their fourth-straight game at Maverik Center.

"We were moving, putting the pucks on net, we were in lanes and the boys did a great job, we just have to keep the pressure all night for a full 60 minutes," said Branham.

Utah goaltender Joe Howe stopped 41 of 44 shots in the game to earn the win in goal.

The Grizzlies open three games in three nights on the road Friday in Ontario at 8 p.m. before moving to Bakersfield at 8 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Upcoming Home Games

Wednesday, December 17: Wild Wednesday, Hip Hop Night with U92: $2 Soft Drinks, $2 Draft Beers and 10-percent concession discounts between 6 and 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 27: Post-Game Skate With Team and 2015 Team Calendar Giveaway. Skate Rental $2.

Monday, December 29: Maverik Monday, Buy One Get One Free Tickets With Maverik Adventure Club Card at Maverik Center Box Office.

Holiday gifts with mini plans starting at $29, puck passes that can be used for any games and more are available through the Grizzlies Offices at Maverik Center or by calling (801) 988-8000. It's also not too late to book a holiday party at one of the Grizzlies December games.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from December 11, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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