AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies close out 2004 with 2-1 loss

Published on December 31, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT- Utah's offense continued to struggle but the fight in the Grizzlies was evident as they battled back to tie the game versus the second best team in the AHL in the third period but eventually fell in a one-goal contest 2-1 falling to 0-2 on their current eight-game road trip.

The Grizzlies played a spirited first period with good hits and good scoring chances with the line of Jarrod Skalde, Mike Stutzel and Randall Gelech generating most of the offense. Stutzel had two great chances, set Skalde up for another and Gelech had a breakaway that he couldn't pull the trigger on the shot as the puck rolled off his stick. Each team had 11 shots on goal but Jason LaBarbera showed why he is the number one goaltender and the reigning AHL Most Valuable Player making 11 very solid saves. Jean-Marc Pelletier was not tested with as good of quality but still was solid keeping the Wolf Pack at bay.

Hartford scored the first goal of the game early in the second period when Dominic Moore dropped a pass back to Jeff Hamilton who snapped a shot from the center of the left wing circle past Pelletier for his eighth goal of the season. Moore and Craig Weller notched the assists on the goal. Utah outshot the Wolf Pack 6-5 in the period.

Utah battled back in the third period tying the game on Randall Gelech's sixth goal of the season and first since December 8th assisted by Jarrod Skalde at the 1:07 mark of the third frame. With the score tied, Jamie Lundmark made a move across the goal line and had the puck roll off his stick across the goal-mouth to Chad Wiseman who buried the puck behind Pelletier for his ninth goal of the season regaining the lead for good for the Wolf Pack.

Hartford outshot the Grizzlies 11-6 in the third period and finished the game with a 27-23 advantage as LaBarbera wins his league-leading 17th game of the season making 22 saves. Pelletier makes 25 saves in a solid outing dropping to 4-8-1 and 4-3 in the month of December.

The Grizzlies take on the Wolf Pack again tomorrow night at the Hartford Civic Center. Face-off is scheduled for 5:05 PM (mt).

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American Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2004


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