AHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Take Opener to Shootout but Drop 4-3 Decision to Ducks

Published on October 14, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah * Opening night for the Utah Grizzlies had a little bit of everything including three separate one-goal leads for Utah. A very controversial goal that went in the favor of the home team, an overtime and a shootout but when the dust settled it was the resilient Cincinnati Mighty Ducks that captured a 4-3 shootout victory behind a three point night from Joffrey Lupul (1G, 2A).

The Grizzlies started the scoring in the first period when Doug Doull deflected a Nikos Tselios shot past Ilya Bryzgalov giving the Grizzlies the 1-0 lead after one period. Dustin Wood and Tselios drew the assists. The Grizzlies were in complete control in the first period outshooting the Ducks 18-4.

Cincy came back strong in the second period outshooting the Grizzlies 16-12. The Ducks got on the board when Kurtis Foster wrested a shot through traffic by Jean-Marc Pelletier tying the game at one goal apiece. The Grizzlies would re-gain the lead later in the frame on a power play goal by Jon Sim assisted by Jeff Taffe and Keith Ballard at the 9:58 mark of the period.

Once again in the third period, the Ducks would answer the call early in the frame when Joel Perrault would direct a rebound past Pelletier tying the game for the second time. A controversial moment came at the 6:39 mark of the final period when a Joe Callahan shot was ruled a goal. The Ducks protested but referee Dan O'Rourke stood by the call giving Utah their third lead of the game. Cincinnati would tie the game sending it to overtime at the 13:06 mark when Lupul scored from Tim Brent (his second assist of the night).

Nobody scored in the overtime and in the shootout the decision would come in the sixth round when Lupul beat Pelletier and the Grizzlies couldn't get their sixth attempt past Bryzgalov.

The shots ended at 39 apiece but the Ducks outblasted the Grizzlies 35-21 after the first period. Pelletier finished the night with 35 saves and Bryzgalov took the win with 36 saves.

The teams will go at it on Friday night at the ‘E' Center with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM (MT).

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American Hockey League Stories from October 14, 2004


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