ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Thrill 5,066 Fans with 3-1 New Year's Eve Win against Las Vegas

January 1, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Utah Grizzlies thrilled a New Year's Eve crowd of 5,066 with a 3-1 win over the Las Vegas Wranglers Monday night at Maverik Center as they picked up their third-straight win.

"We just kept saying throughout the game today trust the system, keep doing what we're doing and it will pay off," said Grizzlies Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. "So many times at the beginning of the year, we would outplay a team and find a way to lose. It's very nice to outplay a team and find a way to win; it builds a ton of confidence."

The Grizzlies fell behind just 16 seconds into the first period as Utah turned the opening face-off over and it ended up in the back of their net.

The 1-0 lead lasted for 38 minutes and 10 seconds before Teigan Zahn freed the puck for Vinny Scarsella who was left wide open in the right circle. A slap shot from Scarsella tied the game with 1:34 left in the second period. Mathieu Aubin picked up an assist on the play. The goal immediately followed a shift by Jamie MacQueen, Danick Paquette and David Vallorani where they soldiered to get off of the ice after icing the puck four times; but they left unscathed after even manufacturing a scoring chance as their shift finally ended.

"It was big, we were definitely working them down low and we had all of the momentum on our side," said Scarsella. "Guys were very positive on the bench; we knew that next won was coming. We knew if we kept working hard and getting pucks deep, we'd be successful."

The Grizzlies outshot Las Vegas 15-3 in the third period and Michael Pelech went shortside for the game-winning goal with 8:45 left in regulation as Patrick O'Keefe kept the play alive and got him the puck to give Utah a 2-1 lead.

After killing a late shorthanded situation, David Vallorani beat the clock from center ice with an empty-netter as Danick Paquette forced the puck free for Vallorani's ninth goal of the year as the game ended.

Aaron Dell stopped 20 of 21 shots to improve to 5-1 on the year and get Utah to 3-0 after the Christmas break.

Utah outshot Las Vegas 37-21 in the game.

Utah opens a three-game trip to Florida Thursday in Orlando. Face-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. The series continues Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

The Grizzlies return home for four games in five nights Tuesday and Wednesday of next weekend with Wild $2 Specials of $2 Hot Dogs, $2 Fries, $2 Soft Drinks and $2 Draft Beers. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. against Las Vegas.

Friday, January 10 is our next player poster giveaway against Stockton at 7 p.m.

Saturday, January 11 is Star Wars Night and the next post-game Skate with the Grizzlies. Skate Rental is $2. Face-off with Stockton is against at 7 p.m.

Ticket packages for the 2013-2014 season are still on sale and start at just $29. For more information, visit http://www.utahgrizzlies.com or call (801) 988-7825.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics



ECHL Stories from January 1, 2014


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