ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies, Bobkov Blank Alaska 3-0 in Home Finale

April 5, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (35-26-5-3) defeated the Alaska Aces (34-28-3-4) 3-0 Saturday night at Maverik Center before 6,710 fans.

I'm very proud of these boys," said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. "They battled and competed hard. You have to give Alaska credit. They came out and played very physical. I'm proud of the way our boys responded because we didn't change our game plan. We stuck with what was working; getting pucks in deep, finishing our checks, playing hard, playing tough and we got rewarded for it."

Igor Bobkov stopped all 39 shots he saw for his fourth shutout of the year as he improve to 18-12-2-0.

"Bobkov is a rock," said Branham. "He made some big saves late in the third period. They got a couple chances on our last power play. You can't go anything in this league without a good goaltender. Bobkov is obviously one of the best and we're happy to have him"

The Grizzlies now lead Alaska by three points in the Pacific Division standings with three games remaining. Utah's magic number is now four points for their ninth playoff appearance in ten years.

Utah took a 1-0 lead 14:02 into the first period as H.T. Lenz fed Alex Gallant for his first goal of the year on a shorthanded breakaway.

"That's my first goal here, first breakaway all year. I guess I really capitalized on it," said Gallant. "It feels awesome. I couldn't have picked a better game to do it. Thanks everyone for coming out. It's unreal playing here. It's like having a sixth man out there with the fans."

The Grizzlies made it 2-0 7:18 into the second period as Camden Wojtala scored his sixth of the season and the first power-play goal of his career as he scored short side with Ryan Hayes and T.J. Syner picking up assists.

"Wojtala had a really nice shot on short side shelf," said Branham. "He's had a couple of those this year. That goal was a big one to relieve us of some pressure from us. He's Mr. Reliable. He plays the right way. He doesn't make any mistakes and chips in offensively when he can. He does his job each and every night. I know what I'm getting from him and that's what you want as a coach."

Mathieu Aubin's 25th goal of the season into an empty net with 16 seconds left completed the scoring as Corey Fienhage picked up an assist.

"Alaska is very well coached," said Branham. "They have a good offence and they play hard. That's why I'm so proud of the way we played, the way we responded, and got the results because Alaska is a good team. They've been playing good hockey in the second half of the season. To be able to take care of business here is special. We haven't clinched yet. Destiny is in our hands. We have to make sure that we go out and play a tough Idaho team and take care of business."

Utah went one-for-seven on the power-play and seven for seven on the penalty-kill.

The Grizzlies wrap up the regular season Wednesday in Idaho and Friday and Saturday in Colorado. Face-off all three nights is at 7 p.m.

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ECHL Stories from April 5, 2015


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