AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies end season with shootout win

Published on April 17, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


HOUSTON, TX - The Grizzlies looked to end the season on a high note against the playoff bound Houston Aeros and needed a third period comeback and a shootout to do so as they gained the victory 4-3. Randall Gelech scored two goals and Martin Sonnenberg had a goal and two helpers for Utah.

The teams played a spirited first period with Houston controlling play for most of the frame outshooting the Grizzlies 13-7 but David LeNeveu stole the show making several acrobatic saves. Houston finally got on the board when Marius Holtet directed a puck into the net after a Jeremy Reich shot hit the post and caromed out in front of the Grizzlies net. For Holtet, it was his seventh goal of the season assisted by Reich and Dan Cavanaugh at the 16:48 mark giving the Aeros a 1-0 lead.

Houston looked to gain control of the game in the second period when Zbynek Michalek scored a power play goal extending the Aeros lead to 2-0. For Michalek, it was his seventh goal of the season assisted by Marc Cavosie. Utah cut the lead in half with a great play between Randall Gelech and Kiel McLeod at the 14:18 mark of the period. McLeod carried the puck into the corner and backhanded a pass in the air about waist high and Gelech batted the puck by Josh Harding for his 14th goal of the season. Houston would regain their two-goal advantage with a goal by Kyle Wanvig, his 13th goal of the season, at the 17:49 mark assisted by Cavosie and Brent Burns. The Grizzlies needed just 26 seconds to answer the bell with Martin Sonnenberg scoring on a wrap-around shot for his 13th goal of the season assisted by Joe Callahan. Houston outshot the Grizzlies 11-10 in the period.

The Grizzlies battled back on the third period tying the game at the 11:37 mark with Gelech blasting his second goal of the night and 15th of the year by Harding. Sonnenberg and Terry Virtue drew the assists. Utah outshot the Aeros 9-6 in the period.

The game would eventually head to a shootout where Utah's veteran combination of Terry Virtue and Peter White scored and LeNeveu stopped four of the five shooters he faced getting the win. For Utah the win was their 10th in a shootout this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 17, 2005


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