ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Fall to Griffins, 3-2

Published on February 5, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


The Utah Grizzlies started a five-game home stand tonight versus the Grand Rapids Griffins but failed to pick up where they left off on the road as they dropped the decision 3-2 losing two separate one-goal leads.

The Grizzlies struck first as they gave the visiting Griffins some pressure in their own zone. Jim Montgomery battled for the puck on the far boards deep in the Griffins zone as Steve Ott managed to get a handle on the loose puck and dropped it off to Mark Wotton who had drifted into the slot area. Wotton had his first shot denied but received the rebound on the tape and slid it past Griffin goaltender Marc Lamothe just inside the near side post at the 10:36 mark of the first. The goal was Wotton's sixth of the year, giving the Grizzlies a 1-0 lead midway through the first stanza.

Grand Rapids would get the equalizer on the power play with just over two and half minutes remaining in the period. Griffins forward Michel Picard came in on the far side of Corey Hirsch and found Tomas Kopecky waiting on the doorstep at the near side post. Kopecky beat Hirsch before he could recover his position tying the score at one after 20 minutes of play. Utah managed 8 shots on net, edging out the Griffins who had only 5 for the period.

Grizzlies had a man advantage early in the second and Jim Montgomery fought for the puck along the far boards and pulled the defense towards him. As the defense began to swarm, Montgomery dished the puck to a wide open Jon Sim in front of the net and Sim let loose a hard wrister that beat Lamothe top shelf at 4:25 in the period. It was Sim's 14th goal of the year (14-29-43); Montgomery (16-30-46) and Greg Hawgood (7-30-37) got credit for the assists. The Grizzlies led 2-1 after 40 minutes of play, out-shooting the Griffins 11 to 9 in the second.

The Grizzlies looked like a completely different team in the third period. Utah looked tired and couldn't buy their way into the Griffins zone as Grand Rapids picked up the pressure on the forecheck. At the 9:05 mark, Grand Rapids made good on a 2 on 1 advantage as Mark Mowers found Jason Williams breaking up ice and created the odd man rush. Williams kept the puck himself and beat Hirsch who was stuck trying to defend a last second pass to the opposite side. Game tied at 2-2.

Utah continued to struggle in their own end and gave up another Griffin power play goal. Jason Williams recorded his second goal of the night as he blasted a hard slap shot through traffic from the near side blue line. The shot deflected off a Grizzly player in front of the net, fooling Hirsch who tried to compensate for the re-direction but couldn't catch up with the puck. Grand Rapids went up 3-2. Utah couldn't make up for lost ground, even after pulling Hirsch with 1:21 left in the period to get the man advantage.

The Grizzlies out-shot the Griffins 27 to 23 and went 1 for 4 on the power play, Grand Rapids went 2 for 4 with the man advantage.

Three Stars: 1. Jason Williams (GR): 2 goals 2. Jim Montgomery (UT): 2 assists 3. Stacy Roest (GR): 1 assist

Next Game: The Grizzlies will host the Worcester Ice Cats this Friday, February 7 at the E-Center. Puck drops at 7:00 PM.

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ECHL Stories from February 5, 2003


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