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AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies claw back for point in Milwaukee

March 29, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


MILWAUKEE, WIS - After falling behind 2-0 the Grizzlies battled back earning a point as they fell 3-2 in overtime to Milwaukee who pull to within a point of Chicago for the top spot in the Western Division. Mike Garrow and Peter White scored goals for Utah and Fredrik Sjostrom had two helpers but it was Simon Gamache's overtime power play goal that earned the win for the Admirals.

The Admirals jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period as Jerred Smithson continued to tear up the Grizzlies scoring his fifth goal of the season against Utah and his 10th goal overall at the 3:14 mark of the period, assisted by Bryan Lundbohm. The Admirals would add to that lead when Lundbohm found himself in front of the net for a perfect shot off a rebound. The goal was his sixth of the season assisted by Greg Zanon and Vernon Fiddler at 11:07 of the frame. The Grizzlies would cut the lead in half late in the period when Mike Garrow would blast a shot through all kinds of traffic past Brian Finley for his second goal of the season. Fredrik Sjostrom drew the lone assist giving him five points in his last five games (1-4 -5). The Admirals outshot the Grizzlies 14-7 as David LeNeveu made 12 saves and Finley finished with six saves.

Utah battled back in the second period to tie the game when Peter White snapped a shot that hit both posts and then found the back of the goal line for his 12th goal of the season and the 248th AHL goal he has scored tying him for 37th all-time on the league's goal scoring list (Billy Dea). Garrow and Sjostrom were given the helpers at the 18:28 mark. Milwaukee outshot the Grizzlies 11-9 in the period as LeNeveu made 23 saves through two periods.

Neither team could get any offense going in the third period and the Grizzlies had to play some late defense killing two holding penalties called in the final three minutes one that put Utah short two men in the final minute. The last holding call carried over into overtime and the Admirals capitalized with Simon Gamache banging home a blast off the end boards by Kevin Klein past LeNeveu for his 27th goal of the season and 80th point at the 49 second mark of overtime.

Milwaukee outshot the Grizzlies 40-23 with LeNeveu stealing the show earning a point for Utah making 37 saves. He allowed two goals on the first six shots he faced and then turned aside 35 straight shots before allowing the sixth game-winning goal of the season by Gamache. Brian Finley wins his 33rd game of the season making 21 saves.

The Grizzlies road trip continues on Friday night in the first of two straight games versus Grand Rapids at the Van Andel Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM (mst).

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