AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies defeat Admirals

December 18, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH- The Grizzlies jumped out to a 3-0 lead against Milwaukee but had to hold on for a one-goal victory earning consecutive home victories for the first time this season. Erik Westrum and Martin Sonnenberg each had a goal and an assist leading the way for the Grizzlies in their 5-4 victory.

The Grizzlies picked up in the first period where they left off last night as Erik Westrum lit the lamp at the 12:59 mark unassisted. Westrum took advantage of an Admiral turnover took two strides in on goaltender Brian Finley and lifted his third goal in three nights up and over him for his seventh goal of the season. Utah added to their lead six minutes later when Dustin Wood took a shot from the right point that fooled Finley and clanged off the post behind him for Wood's second goal of the season. Martin Sonnenberg, returning to the lineup after missing the previous 10 games with an ankle injury, drew the only assist.

In the second period, Westrum helped create Utah's third goal of the game when he picked off a pass in the neutral zone and fed newcomer Dana Lattery (signed earlier in the day from the ECHL) who threw a pass in front to an open Justin Cox who buried the puck behind Finley for his second goal of the season. With the Grizzlies leading 3-0, the defending champs would answer the bell rattling off three straight goals of their own tying the score. Simon Gamache started the streak with his 13th goal of the season followed by goals from Jerred Smithson (his second of the season) and Andrew Hutchinson (his fifth of the season). AT the 15:30 mark of the period, Utah received their first power play of the game and took advantage when Martin Sonnenberg directed in a Terry Virtue pass for his fifth goal of the season and second point of the night. For Virtue, playing in his 800th AHL game, it was his fifth straight game contributing an assist. Keith Ballard also drew a helper on the Sonnenberg goal. Through two periods, the Admirals were on top of Utah by one shot but the Grizzlies led on the scoreboard 4-3.

Utah added to their lead in the third period with Fredrik Sjostrom scoring a shorthanded goal at the 8:29 mark of the period. The Grizzlies would have to battle the Admirals who mounted 18 shots on goal in the period and also a questionable call from referee Steve Kozari as he called Westrum for a trip with under three minutes to play in the game. Milwaukee pulled their goaltender and cashed in with Gamache's second goal of the night pulling Milwaukee to within a goal. The Grizzlies would hang on killing the remaining two minutes of regulation to capture their sixth one-goal victory of the season.

Jean-Marc Pelletier made 35 saves gaining his fourth straight winning decision.

Utah will face Milwaukee again on Monday night at the 'E' Center with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 18, 2004


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