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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Fall in Rapid City; Home Playoff Dates Announced

April 9, 2016 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Rapid City, South Dakota - The Rapid City Rush added a late empty-net goal and defeated the Utah Grizzlies (38-27-3-3) 5-2 Friday night at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.

Utah has now guaranteed themselves a first round matchup against either Colorado or Idaho depending on outcomes in their games the rest of the weekend.

Playoff Tickets

The Grizzlies will host first round home playoff games on Thursday, April 21; Saturday, April 23 and Sunday April 24* if necessary. Tickets for the 2016 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be on sale Monday. Visit UtahGrizzlies.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter for the latest schedule and opponent information.

Rapid City jumped in front with two goals in a 2:16 stretch in the first 7:33 of the hockey game to make it 2-0. Mike Ratchuk blasted in a power-play goal to make it 2-1 11:27 into the frame with Charlie Sarault and Matt Berry drawing assists. The Grizzlies killed two late penalties and got some big saves from Mark Owuya to keep it 2-1 going to the second as they were outshot 14-7.

Utah started the second period strong, after killing a carryover penalty; with eight of the first 12 shots and drawing two power-plays. But a rough final three minutes made it 4-1 Rapid City going to the third period as they scored a shorthanded goal with 2:55 left as Utah made a bid to tie on the power-play and then again scored with 15 seconds left in the frame.

Utah scored a power-play goal on a second attempt by Barry Almeida for his team leading 27th goal of the year 5:31 into the third period as T.J. Syner also picked up an assist to make it 4-2.

Mark Owuya dropped to 7-6-0-1 in the loss.

The Grizzlies wrap up the regular season Saturday in Rapid City at 7 p.m.

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