Grizzlies Clinch Playoff Berth with 5-2 Win in Stockton
Published on March 18, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
Stockton, California - The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Stockton Thunder 5-2 Saturday night at Stockton Arena to clinch their fifth-straight playoff berth and their sixth post-season bid in the last seven years.
Utah has now won five of their last six games and is currently 2-1 on their five-game road trip. The Grizzlies broke open a 3-2 third period with two scores on goals from Mitch Wahl (20) and Colin Vock (10). Utah never trailed in the contest after relinquishing a 2-0 second period lead on two power-play goals. They finished the game with three-straight five-on-five scores.
The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead 14:51 into the first period on Paul McIlveen's team-leading 29th goal of the year as Chris Donovan rolled him a beautiful pass cross ice in transition. Josh Burrows picked up the second assist.
Donovan made it 2-0 as C.J. Severyn won a battle along the wall and emerged into open ice, finding Donovan wide open in the circle.
The Grizzlies broke a 2-2 tie with one minute left in the second period. McIlveen chased down a puck before an icing could be called and Ross Carlson broke up ice to bury a shot point-blank to give Utah a 3-2 lead going to the second intermission.
Jimmy Spratt stopped 23 of 25 shots to earn the win in goal. All Utah goals in the game were scored five-on-five.
Utah completes four games in five nights in California Sunday in Stockton. Face-off is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
The Grizzlies return home to host Colorado Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24 with Colorado for the final home games of the regular season and Anti-Tobacco Weekend. Want FREE tickets to the final weekend? Visit the Tobacco Free Utah Facebook page and share your story about quitting tobacco. Participants will have a chance to win free tickets to the games.
ECHL Stories from March 18, 2012
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