Grizzlies Stay Hot With 4-2 Victory Over Hartford
Published on December 13, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
Hartford - The Utah Grizzlies (10-13-2-2) played their best road game of the season as they used three point nights from David Oliver (3A) and Rob Valicevic (1G, 2A) and 37 saves from Mike Smith as they defeated the Hartford Wolf Pack (14-7-4-1) by a final score of 4-2.
In a hard fought first period, neither team could find the back of the net as Hartford outshot Utah 12-4. Utah had one great chance that had David Oliver, Rob Valicevic and Darrell Hay leading a rush but the Grizzlies could not connect and Hartford goaltender Jason LaBarbera dodged a big bullet
The Grizzlies would take advantage of special teams in the second period as they began the period shorthanded but came through with two quality chances while a man down. Rob Valicevic had a breakaway that hit the post but a few seconds later Oliver would push the puck to Steve Gainey who scored his second and the team's league-leading sixth shorthanded goal of the season. It was Gainey's fifth goal of the season. Utah would later net one on a power play as Justin Cox cleaned up a rebound past LaBarbera with Valicevic and Barrett Heisten getting the assist. Chad Wiseman would get the Wolf Pack on the board later in the period narrowing Utah's lead to 2-1 after 40 minutes. The Wolf Pack led on the shot board after two periods 27-14.
Hartford would tie the score on a turnover by Mike Smith as Ken Gernander would re-direct a shot by Benoit Dusablon past Smith. Utah would respond with another power play goal as Dylan Gyori would re-direct a Oliver pass behind LaBarbera to regain a 3-2 lead. Valicevic would add an empty net goal with another assist by Oliver to get the Grizzlies the victory.
Smith finished the night with 37 saves improving his record to 7-6-0, while David Oliver had three helpers a single-game team high for Utah this season. Valicevic finished the night with a goal and two helpers.
Utah concludes their four-game road trip tomorrow afternoon in Bridgeport. Face-off is scheduled for 2:05 PM (mst).
American Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2003
- Falcons Post 4-1 Win over Portland - Springfield Falcons
- Holmqvist, streaking Aeros pick up fourth straight win - Houston Aeros
- Roadrunners Beaten By Amerks - Edmonton Road Runners
- Sound Tigers Beat Manchester 2-1 At Home - Bridgeport Islanders
- Perrin Rallies Bears to 3-3 Tie with Worcester - Hershey Bears
- Griffins Bounce Back with 2-1 Win - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Phantoms rally for 3-1 win in Norfolk - Adirondack Phantoms
- Phantoms rally for 3-1 win in Norfolk - Adirondack Phantoms
- Grizzlies Stay Hot With 4-2 Victory Over Hartford - Utah Grizzlies
- Toivonen leads Bruins back to first place - Providence Bruins
- Columbus Reassigns McDonell To Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Aeros Game Day - Houston Aeros
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