Grizzlies Close Season with 3-2 Shootout Loss Before 6,862 Fans
Published on April 13, 2014 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (38-24-3-6) closed out the 2013-2014 season with a 3-2 shootout loss to the Idaho Steelheads Saturday evening at Maverik Center before 6,862 fans.
The Grizzlies finished the week with five of six standings points a night after they clinched the third spot in the ECHL's Western Conference with a 3-2 win over Idaho.
Utah will open the playoffs Friday and Saturday night at Maverik Center against either Colorado or Bakersfield depending on the results of the Condors game with Las Vegas Sunday at Rabobank Arena. If Bakersfield wins, the Grizzlies will face sixth seeded Colorado. If Bakersfield does not win, the Grizzlies will meet the Condors in the first round.
"We have confidence to beat anybody, anybody in this league and you need that going into playoffs and I'm really proud to be part of this group," said Grizzlies Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham.
Grizzlies goaltender Aaron Dell, closed the season by stopping 29 of 31 shots to finish the year 19-7-0-3.
"It starts with him and it starts with Igor Bobkov back there and they get the job done and the guys get the job done for them," said Branham on his goaltenders.
The Grizzlies held a 1-0 lead in the first period and a 2-1 lead in the second period as Idaho battled back to tie each time.
D.J. Jelitto's 13th goal of the year made it 1-0 3:37 into the game on the power-play as he took a tic-tac-toe pass from Andrew O'Brien and Michael Pelech and was wide open on the side of the net.
Utah made it 2-1 8:51 into the second period on Martin Lee's fourth goal of the year as Charles Sarault twirled in and found him wide open in the slot before Idaho tied 1:18 later.
The third period saw each team get seven shots and Idaho won the shootout three goals to two.
Playoffs
The first round of the ECHL's 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs will open next Friday and Saturday at Maverik Center, with Utah holding home ice advantage in a 2-3-2 best-of-seven series.
ECHL Stories from April 13, 2014
- Condors Fall, But Panties Fly on Undie Sunday - Bakersfield Condors
- Eagles to Take on Steelheads in First Round of ECHL - Colorado Eagles
- Solar Bears to Face off against Cincinnati in Kelly Cup Playoffs - Orlando Solar Bears
- Wranglers Cap off Regular Season with 4-1 Thrashing of Condors - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Grizzlies to Face Bakersfield in First Round Starting Friday - Utah Grizzlies
- Idaho, Colorado to Meet in ECHL Playoffs - Idaho Steelheads
- Cyclones to Face Orlando in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Road Warriors Fall Short in Comeback Attempt - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Cyclones Stifle Walleye in Regular Season Finale, 4-1 - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Orlando Earns Home Ice Advantage in First Round of Playoffs - Orlando Solar Bears
- Stingrays Open 2014 Kelly Cup Playoffs against the Wheeling Nailers - South Carolina Stingrays
- Nailers to Meet Stingrays in Round One - Wheeling Nailers
- Komets Announce Eastern Conference Playoffs Opening Round Schedule - Fort Wayne Komets
- Royals to Face Fort Wayne Komets in ECHL Eastern - Reading Royals
- Condors vs. Las Vegas Today - Undie Sunday - Bakersfield Condors
- ECHL Transactions - April 13 - ECHL
- Wranglers Claim Forward Michael Neal off Waivers - Las Vegas Wranglers
- Cyclones Alum Justin Johnson Makes NHL Debut - Cincinnati Cyclones
- Game Preview: Solar Bears vs. Greenville Road Warriors - April 13 - Orlando Solar Bears
- Cyclones Game Preview - Cincinnati at Toledo - Cincinnati Cyclones
- ECHL Today - April 13 - ECHL
- Grizzlies Close Season with 3-2 Shootout Loss Before 6,862 Fans - Utah Grizzlies
- Thunder Finish Regular Season in Style - Stockton Thunder
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