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ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Score Late to Down Wolfpack

November 13, 2002 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Grizzlies had a few days to re-group after a couple of tough one goal loses against Grand Rapids and Milwaukee. Jon Sim, Steve Gainey and Gavin Morgan returned to the ice for the Grizzlies, giving a lacking offense some lift and a 3-1 victory in the first meeting ever between Utah and Hartford.

The Grizzlies dug their claws in early, coming out of the gates with speed and strength. At the 3:48 mark the Grizzlies drew first blood with some great tic-tac-toe passing on the offensive end. Steve Gainey and Matthieu Descoteaux found Eric Landry on the doorstep of the Wolfpack net and Landry tallied his sixth of the year. Both squads had a hard time taking advantage on the power play, Grizzlies went 0/3 and Hartford went 0/1. Grizzlies led 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, Corey Hirsch kept the leagues most proficient scoring team at bay, but the Wolfpack were able to sneak one through the legs of Hirsch with just over two minutes remaining in the period. Richard Lintner posted his first goal of the season as Hartford tied the game at 1-1.

Early in the third, Jon Sim showed why he's the Grizzlies point leader. After going one-on-one with a Hartford defenseman, Sim kept the play alive in the offensive end and passed the puck in the slot finding Gavin Morgan who chipped the puck back to the point for Greg Hawgood. The Hartford defense shifted to the far side, leaving Sim with the back door opportunity on the near side of the net. Hawgood thread the needle and Sim sent the puck to the back of the net giving the Grizz a 2-1 lead. In the final minute of play, the Wolfpack pulled goalie Jason LaBarbera from the net. After a couple of scrambles in front of Corey Hirsch, Steve Gainey showed the fans some heart as he dove for a loose puck from a face-off in the defensive zone, giving it to Hawgood who gave it right back to Gainey for the empty netter. Grizzlies got their first home win in five games, winning 3-1 over Hartford and improving their overall record to 6-9-0-0.

Hirsch had an amazing game between the pipes, making 38 saves on the night. Wolfpack goalie, Jason LaBarbera tallied 19 saves on 21 shots.

The Grizzlies and Wolfpack will have the re-match on Friday night at the E-Center. Face-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

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