Grizzlies Beat Tulsa 3-1; Pull Within One Point of First
Published on March 27, 2016 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (36-25-3-3) defeated the Tulsa Oilers (32-27-3-2) 3-1 Saturday night at Maverik Center before 6,323 fans for the team's Tribute to Military.
"It's very special - I know the guys look forward to it," said forward Barry Almeida. "It was one of our best crowds all year. The veterans are such an inspiration to us; it's awesome we could get a win for them."
$15,507 was raised in the postgame jersey auction of the team's specialty uniforms in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Utah Air National Guard. All proceeds will go to the Salt Lake City Fisher House.
"Faragher made some big saves in the third period; he made them look easy but they were tough ones," said Head Coach Tim Branham. "I thought our boys played a really good game. Tulsa is a desperate, hard-working team; but at the end of the day we did a good job of utilizing our skill, speed, and puck possession."
Ryan Faragher stopped 11 shots in the third period and 19 of 20 in the game to improve to 24-12-2-2.
Barry Almeida (one goal, one assist) and Matt Berry (one goal, one assist) both had multiple-points in the contest.
Utah took a 1-0 lead 5:58 into the first period on Berry's 15th of the year from Almeida and Shayne Taker.
Tied 1-1 going to the second, the Grizzlies killed a penalty and then cashed in on the power-play to take a 2-1 lead with 4:07 left in the second period as Almeida (24) hammered in a rebound on a Mike Ratchuk blast. Berry picked up an assist.
"Ratchuk has made big plays, especially on the power play," said Branham. "He's a confident kid, extremely skilled and skates very well. The boys played hard this weekend; you have to hand it to them."
Bryan Moore (5) gave the Grizzlies an insurance goal 6:22 into the third period as he took a feed from Alex Krushelnyski and it was 3-1. Eric Knodel picked up an assist.
With Utah's win and Idaho's loss at home to Colorado, the Grizzlies trail the Steelheads by one point for first place in the West Division heading into Boise for a contest Wednesday.
Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2
For Fan Appreciation Weekend, fans can get a lower bowl ticket and a Grizzlies T-Shirt for $20 when mentioning this offer at the arena box office for the final two regular season home games against Alaska.
ECHL Stories from March 27, 2016
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- Marotta, Rush Shut out Aces 2-0 Saturday - Alaska Aces
- Marotta Stones Aces - Rapid City Rush
- Grizzlies Beat Tulsa 3-1; Pull Within One Point of First - Utah Grizzlies
- Mallards Knock off Thunder 4-1 - Wichita Thunder
- Second Period Surge Sinks Steelheads - Idaho Steelheads
- Grizzlies Beat Tulsa 3-1 on Military Night - Utah Grizzlies
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