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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Beat Idaho 5-2

December 5, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Boise, Idaho - The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Idaho Steelheads 5-3 Friday night in Boise.

Utah built a 2-0 first period lead as Will Bodine scored with an extra-attacker with a delayed penalty coming up on the Steelheads at 6:37 before Tim Verbeek added his second of the series and ninth goal of the year at 8:18. The Grizzlies made it 3-1, 24 seconds after Idaho's Steve Gainey shot a puck past Mike Mole through traffic, as Vladimir Nikiforov fired in his first of two on the night. Idaho made it 3-2 with 1:29 left in the first.

The second period saw four fights in a span of two minutes and 31 seconds with Will Bodine, James Sixsmith, Evan Kotsopoulos and Greg McCauley all dropping the gloves for Utah past the halfway point of the period. The Grizzlies also fended off four shorthanded situations in the middle frame to keep the score 3-2.

The Grizzlies added two big insurance goals in the third to build a 5-2 lead. First at 10:49 of the period, Mark Pavli picked up an Idaho turnover and scored unassisted for his first professional goal. Then 2:53 later, Vladimir Nikiforov spun around in the slot before firing the puck past Idaho netminder Matt Climie for his second of the game and fifth of the year.

Utah captain Ryan Kinasewich returned to the lineup in limited action for the first time since sustaining an injury November 8.

James Sixsmith and Tom May each collected two assists for Utah in the game.

Goaltender Mike Mole stopped 39 of 42 Idaho shots in the win.

Utah was outshot 42-24 in the game.

The Grizzlies and Steelheads meet again Saturday at Qwest Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Utah returns home Tuesday, December 9 hosting Idaho and Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13 welcoming in Stockton. All Utah home games start at 7:05 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from December 5, 2008


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