Grizzlies Edge RoadRunners 5-4 In Overtime

February 21, 2008 - ECHL (ECHL)
Phoenix RoadRunners News Release


PHOENIX, Ariz. - James Sanford broke a 4-4 tie 53 seconds into overtime on a power play to lift the Utah Grizzlies to a 5-4 win over the Phoenix RoadRunners before 3,126 at US Airways Center in ECHL action Thursday.

A spirited first period saw the RoadRunners (18-28-7) build a 2-1 lead. Phoenix opened the scoring at 5:07 on the power play when Daniel Sisca beat a screened Utah goalie Mike Mole with a snap shot from the blue line to give the RoadRunners a 1-0 lead. Utah's Rob Sirianni tied the contest at 1-1 scoring on a penalty shot at 8:27 of the first. The RoadRunners reclaimed their lead back before the end of the period as Jeff Smith jammed his own rebound through Mole on the short side at 16:48.

Utah (28-22-5) would square the contest at 2-2 when Garett Bembridge re-directed Tyler Haskins' centering pass through the pads of RoadRunners goalie Dave McKee at 3:21 of the second period. Phoenix would promptly counter at 7:01 when Mitch Carefoot's drive from the right-wing circle deflected off Mole and trickled into the open net behind him giving the RoadRunners a 3-2 edge. The Grizzlies however would end the period with two goals on the power play to take their first lead of the game into the second intermission. Olivier Labelle scored his 22nd goal of the year collecting his own rebound out in front and snapping the puck behind McKee at 9:37 to tie the contest. Sirianni scored his second goal of the game at 18:41 converting off a weird deflection off the glass behind McKee for a 4-3 advantage after forty minutes.

The RoadRunners would tie the score at 5:31 of the third period when Brett Angel was credited with his first goal in a RoadRunners uniform as his push to the cage deflected off a Utah defenseman's skate and trickled into the net. While both teams had chances, the score remain tied setting up overtime.

In the overtime session, Sanford beat McKee with a slap shot from the high slot on a four-on-three power play for the game-winner.

Phoenix out-shot Utah 39-35. McKee stopped 30 shots but fell to 6-10-4 on the season. The RoadRunners went 1-2 on the power play while Utah was 3-8 with the man-advantage.

Notes: Angel registered the second RoadRunners' Gordie Howe Hat Trick this season with a goal, an assist, and a fight...Sisca registered his team-leading 13th multiple-point game of the year...Smith tallied his first goal since Feb. 17, 2007, ironically at US Airways Center as a member of the Alaska Aces...Forward Nathan Gillies was placed on the seven-day injured reserve Wednesday.

The RoadRunners close out their three-game home-stand at 7:11 p.m. Saturday at US Airways Center when they welcome the Utah Grizzlies in the finale of a two-game weekend series.

It's "Puttin' Pucks Hockey Night" presented in partnership with Southwest Section PGA and Golfsmith, featuring five-time PGA Tour winner and Scottsdale resident Billy Mayfair. The first 1,000 fans will receive a $10 gift card courtesy of Golfsmith, and there will be a variety of interactive golf activities and exhibits throughout US Airways Center.

Great seats are still available beginning as low as $8 and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (480) 784-4444, purchasing online at ticketmaster.com or visiting the US Airways Center Box Office. Information on season tickets, half-season packages, and flex plans for the 2007-08 season of Phoenix RoadRunners Hockey are available by calling (602) 462-GOAL.



ECHL Stories from February 21, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central