Grizzlies topple Milwaukee, 4-2
Published on March 4, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
MILWAUKEE, WIS - It was almost déjà vu all over again for the Grizzlies who took a 3-2 lead into the final moments of the game but this time Utah held on for a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Admirals earning a point on the road for the second consecutive game.
Utah jumped out to a two-goal lead for the second consecutive game continuing their strong play as of late. Fredrik Sjostrom scored the first goal for the Grizzlies on a feed from Erik Westrum scoring his 10th goal of the season and his first goal on the road since December 12th at Chicago. Utah increased their lead to 2-0 on the power play late in the period when from behind the net Peter White found Joe Callahan sneaking in on the weak side. Callahan one-timed the pass over the right shoulder of Brian Finley for his second goal of the season and his first since opening night versus Cincinnati. White and Aaron Gavey had the assists. For White it moved him into a tie with Bruce Cline for 14th place all-time on the AHL's point list with 773 points. For Gavey, the assist was his 200th professional assist. Milwaukee got on the board in the final minute on the power play with a face-off win by Wyatt Smith to Simon Gamache who snapped a shot by David LeNeveu for his team-leading 24th goal of the season and his 70th point of the season good for third on the league's scoring list. Milwaukee outshot the Grizzlies 11-7 in the period as LeNeveu made 10 saves.
The Grizzlies tacked one goal onto their lead in the second period with an early power play goal by Randall Gelech. Utah began the period with a 5-on-3 advantage after some late penalties called in the final seconds of the first period. For Gelech, it was his 12th goal of the season tying him for the team lead with Westrum. Keith Ballard and Gavey drew the assists on Utah's third goal. The Admirals outshot the Grizzlies 19-13 in the period but LeNeveu turned aside all 19 shots he faced preserving the Grizzlies 3-1 lead.
The game remained 3-1 until the 10:59 mark of the period when on a similar play to Gamache's goal, the Admirals won a face-off with the power play and the skater who received the puck fired it at the net. This time it was Timofei Shishkanov scoring his 16th goal of the season assisted by Tony Hrkac. The game ended with a mad scramble and the Admirals pulling the goalie with over a minute and a half remaining but Utah weathered the storm and Martin Sonnenberg sealed the deal with an empty-net goal, his ninth goal of the season. The Admirals finished the game outshooting the Grizzlies 41-26 but David LeNeveu earned first star honors making 39 saves in the game.
Special teams was an important part of the game with five og the sic goals scored on the man advantage. Utah finished the game 3 for 8 and the Admirals finished 2 for 10
Utah will face Cincinnati tomorrow night ending their four-game road trip. Face-off is scheduled for 5:35 PM (mst).
American Hockey League Stories from March 4, 2005
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- Falcons Shutout by Fleury and Pens, 4-0 - Springfield Falcons
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- Wolves edge Ducks behind Lehtonen - Cincinnati RailRaiders
- Little Nets 200th Career Victory With 4-0 Win Over Bridgeport - Adirondack Phantoms
- Sound Tigers Shutout 4-0 By Philadelphia - Bridgeport Islanders
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- Morlang Re-signed By Sound Tigers - Bridgeport Islanders
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- NH Legends Of Hockey Luncheon Set For Sunday - Manchester Monarchs
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- Aeros debut Third Jerseys on CD Holder Night - Houston Aeros
- Magowan Reassigned - Albany River Rats
- Falcons to Hold Forum for Season Ticket Holders on March 11 - Springfield Falcons
- AHL Quick Hits - AHL
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