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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Beat Colorado 5-3 to Sweep Weekend Home and Home

December 29, 2013 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Colorado Eagles 5-3 Saturday night at Maverik Center before 5,113 fans as Utah swept the home and home weekend series against the Mountain Division leaders.

David Vallorani led Utah with a hat trick, Jamie MacQueen scored his team leading 10th goal of the year, the Grizzlies scored a season-high four power-play goals on four-for-eight efficiency and goaltender Aaron Dell won his fourth-straight start to improve to 4-1.

Vallorani recorded the natural hat trick on three-straight goals starting 9:16 into the first period on the power-play as Patrick O'Keefe held a puck in, threw it towards the net and Danick Paquette flipped it back to Vallorani who buried the point-blank blast in the slot. Colorado tied the game 1:45 later at one, before Utah took a 2-1 lead to the second period as Vallorani buried a five-on-three power-play goal with four seconds left in the frame.

Utah took a 3-1 lead 2:49 into the second period as a Colorado defenseman fell down and Vallorani worked in uncontested to finish Utah's second hat trick of the season.

The Grizzlies made it 4-2 with another five-on-three power-play goal with 1:05 left in the second period as O'Keefe and Mathieu Aubin worked it to MacQueen who fired the cannon in from the near point.

After Colorado made it 4-3 with 8:04 left in regulation, Utah drew a penalty with 2:39 left and Michael Pelech worked in a power-play goal for his fourth of the season on a great feed from Brent Gwidt from behind the net. Mathieu Aubin picked up a multiple-point night with his second assist on the play.

Aaron Dell stopped 26 of 29 shots in the game to earn the win. Utah drew eight of the 12 power-plays in the contest.

The win came a night after Utah beat the Eagles 2-1 in Colorado. Rookie defenseman Patrick O'Keefe earned his first career multiple-point night with two assists.

The Grizzlies return to Maverik Center Tuesday, December 31 at 6 p.m. For New Year's Eve, fans can take advantage of $2 Hot Dogs, $2 Fries, $2 Soft Drinks and $2 Draft Beers.

Ticket packages for the 2013-2014 season are still on sale and start at just $29. For more information, visit http://www.utahgrizzlies.com or call (801) 988-7825.

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