Grizzlies Win, 5-2, in the Series Opener at Rapid City
ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Grizzlies Win, 5-2, in the Series Opener at Rapid City

Published on January 23, 2026 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Rapid City, South Dakota - Reed Lebster had 2 goals, 1 assist, Tyler Gratton had 3 assists and Dominic Basse stopped 35 of 37 shots to lead the Utah Grizzlies to a 5-2 victory over the Rapid City Rush on a Friday night at The Monument.

Reilly Connors got Utah on the board as he scored off a rebound from a John Gelatt shot 16:02 into the contest. Just 13 seconds later Evan Friesen scored from the right wing to give Utah a 2-0 lead.

Late in the second period Aiden Hansen-Bukata scored a 3 on 5 shorthanded goal on a beautiful backhand shot 18:31 into the frame. It was Utah's fifth shorthanded tally of the season.

Reed Lebster scored on a power play from a Danny Dzhaniyev centering pass 12:50 into the third period. Utah was 1 for 7 on the power play. Rapid City scored power play goals from Ryan Wagner 16:58 in and Brady Keeper 18:19 in to make it a 4-2 game. Lebster scored an empty netter from a Gratton pass 19:22 in to complete the scoring.

Dominic Basse earned his first ECHL win as he stopped 35 of 37. He's the fifth Utah goaltender to register a win this season. Rapid City's Connor Murphy stopped 33 of 37 in the loss.

Luke Antonacci made his Grizzlies and professional debut. He was paired up with Hansen-Bukata for most of the night. Antonacci is the 43rd different player to appear in a game for Utah this season.

Maxim Barbashev was recalled to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners on Friday afternoon. Barbashev had 3 goals and 6 assists in 20 games with Utah this season.

The Grizzlies got their first win of the 2026 calendar year as they ended an 8-game losing streak. Rapid City has now lost 4 in a row. Utah is now 6-2-1 on Friday road games this season.

The series continues in Frigid Rapid City on Saturday night at 7:05 pm. The next homestand for the Grizzlies is a three-game set vs Greenville on January 28, 30-31. Face-off all three nights are at 7:10 pm and tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com.

3 stars

1. Reed Lebster (Utah) - 2 goals, 1 assist, +3, 3 shots.

2. Reilly Connors (Utah) - 1 goal, +1, 5 shots.

3. Brady Keeper (Rapid City) - 1 goal, 1 assist, -3, 2 shots.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from January 23, 2026


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