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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Score Late to Beat Stockton 3-2 on Star Wars Night

January 10, 2015 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Stockton Thunder 3-2 Saturday night at Maverik Center before 6,242 fans on Star Wars Night.

"It was huge," said forward Mathieu Aubin as the Grizzlies swept the two-game series. "We knew this weekend was big for us. We worked hard in practice and had a couple of meetings to make sure we were ready for these two games. We're extremely happy and lucky to come away with 4 points."

Aubin (12) scored the game-winning goal on a backhander from the slot with 3:03 left in regulation to break the 2-2 tie. The sequence in the Stockton zone lasted 35 seconds as the Grizzlies forced a few turnovers and battled to keep the puck in before Michael Pelech found Aubin. Kevin Lind also picked up an assist.

"There wasn't a lot of time left on the clock and I just got a rebound with an empty net," said Aubin. "Obviously it felt good but it was a line effort on a goal. It was a good win."

Danick Paquette fought twice in the game, including four seconds into the game, and gave Utah a 1-0 lead with 4:15 left in the first period on a power-play goal from Aubin and Alex Krushelnyski.

"I just wanted to get the guys going like yesterday," said Paquette. "I'm sure Stockton was frustrated but I wanted to make sure my teammates were ready."

Stockton quickly responded with two goals in the final 2:33 of the first period and took a 2-1 lead to the second period.

The Thunder came out strong in the second and Paquette cleared a loose puck in the slot to keep the contest 2-1 early before Alex Krushelnyski was tripped and the Grizzlies went back on the power-play.

Mike Colavecchia tied the game with a blast from the slot 2:12 into the second period with Cam Wojtala and Jacob Johnston picking up assists.

The game stayed 2-2 for 34 minutes and 45 seconds before Aubin's game-winner.

"Obviously really proud of the effort," said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. "You knew it wasn't gonna be a 7-2 game. Stockton has a lot of pride. They came out really hard and they had a good game plan. We found a way to win and that's what's important. Good teams find a way and our big players stepped up."

Ryan Faragher stopped 25 of 27 shots in the contest to improve to 7-6-1-0.

The Grizzlies open four games in five nights on the road Tuesday in Boise at 7 p.m.

Utah returns home Monday, January 19 to host Ontario in a 1:30 p.m. Martin Luther King Day matinee for Maverik Monday. Buy 1 ticket and get 1 free with your Maverik Adventure Club Card.

The Grizzlies next home weekend is Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24 when they will host Bakersfield at 7 p.m. each night.

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