AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Spoil Final Game in Winnipeg Arena with 2-1 Victoryover Manitoba

Published on November 7, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Winnipeg, Manitoba- It was a night of history in the world of hockey on Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd of 13,985 fans as it was the final game in the storied history of the Winnipeg Arena. In an amazing pre-game ceremony, names like Thomas Steen, Joe Daley. Teemu Selanne, Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson were honored as the wonderful hockey fans in Winnipeg said goodbye to one of their favorite places, the Winnipeg Arena.

Once the luminaries took their seats and the puck was dropped the Grizzlies and the Moose put on quite a defensive show as the star of the night was once again Grizzly goaltender David LeNeveu who followed up his 43 saves performance on Thursday night in Winnipeg with a 36 save show on Saturday night which did not include the five Moose shooters he stoned in the Grizzlies second shootout of the season.

Neither team was able to score in the first period marking the second straight game that the clubs have played a scoreless first period. Manitoba had the majority of the scoring chances thanks to two power play opportunities but for his third straight start David LeNeveu was outstanding. The Moose outshot the Grizzlies 9-6 in the frame.

The second period took the same form as the first with the Moose swarming around LeNeveu but the second-year goaltender once again made some huge saves keeping the game scoreless through two periods. The Moose outshot the Grizzlies 13-5 in the period for a two period total lead of 22-11.

Manitoba would score the first goal in the third period when Nathan Smith cleaned up a rebound in front of LeNeveu for his first goal of the season. The Grizzlies would answer the bell though as Randall Gelech scored his first professional goal at 13:50 of the frame tying the game at one goal apiece which is where it would stay through regulation.

After a five minute scoreless overtime period the teams went to a shootout, the Grizzlies second of the season. Jeff Taffe made a spectacular move beating Flaherty in the first round providing all the offense Utah needed as LeNeveu did the rest stopping all five Manitoba skaters including the AHL's leading goal scorer Jason King.

The win ended the Grizzlies seven-game losing streak and stopped the Moose's four-game winning streak.

Utah will be off until Thursday night when they host the Edmonton Road Runners in the first regular season meeting between the two clubs. Face-off is scheduled for 7:05 PM at the 'E' Center.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2004


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