ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Cruise Past Stockton 5-2, Mole Stops 23 of 25

Published on February 20, 2009 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies (19-17-6-9) beat the Stockton Thunder 5-2 Friday night at the E-Center before 6,231 fans. Utah built a 5-0 lead breaking things open with four goals on their first four shots in the second period.

The Grizzlies went up 1-0 in the first with a shorthanded goal by Tom May (19) at 16:01 after failing to score on three power-plays before. May extended his streak of games with a point to 12, tying an all-time Grizzlies ECHL record.

The Grizzlies went on a tear in the second, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 5-0 lead. The first goal came at 3:42 with Tim Verbeek scoring his 23rd of the year. At 10:25, Scott Thauwald added his seventh. James Brannigan notched his eighth of the season at 13:37 with a power-play goal setup by Vladimir Nikiforov and Mark Pavli. The Grizzlies scored their final goal of the period and completed three goals in three minutes and one second at 14:26 when Tom May was awarded a penalty shot that he slipped past Stockton goaltender Andrew Perugini. The goal was May's second score of the game and 20th of the year. The Thunder ended the period with a goal at 17:11.

After the game Grizzlies Head Coach Kevin Colley said, "The second period was probably the best period we have had all year, the guys were playing really crisp."

Utah stayed in control in the third, allowing only one goal by Stockton that came at 18:18 after Grizzlies goaltender Mike Mole was hit in the face with a stick.

The Grizzlies have been playing with just 13 or 14 skaters for two weeks now spanning nine games (4-3-0-2), but have stayed competitive and have had success by sticking to Colley's game plan to keep play crisp and simple. "The guys are buying in, having success and enjoying this opportunity."

Utah completes their home stand Saturday in a rematch with Stockton. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Grizzlies then hit the road for eight-straight games starting Tuesday in Boise.

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ECHL Stories from February 20, 2009


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