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Heerema's two goals not enough as Utah prevails in shootout

January 29, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Manitoba Moose News Release


A late goal by Jeff Heerema to tie the game with 41 seconds to go in regulation wasn't enough for Manitoba, who were defeated by the Utah Grizzlies in a shootout 4-3 Friday night.

Jean-Marc Pelletier got the start in goal for the Utah Grizzlies, making his first appearance this season against the Moose. Alex Auld is making his 11th straight start for Manitoba.

The Moose got on the board first. Jeff Heerema took a pass out of the corner from Lee Goren and backhanded it past Pelletier six minutes into the opening period to make it a 1-0 game.

Jason King looked to double the Moose lead late in the first when he had the puck alone in front of the net and tried to jam it past Pelletier. However, the Utah goaltender made the save.

Utah scored to tie the game at 1-1. Randall Gelech came off the end boards and fired a shot that bounced past Auld for a powerplay goal with 1:40 to go in the opening frame.

After one, the game was tied at one goal apiece with shots tied at 10-10.

Manitoba made it 2-1 in the second period on a goal by Peter Sarno. Kent Huskins made a great pass after side-stepping a Utah defender and fed Sarno at the side of the net on the right-side goal post. Sarno made no mistake in punching the puck in. Josh Green got the other assist.

Jimmy Roy and Keith Ballard dropped the gloves midway through the period as tensions heated up between the two sides.

Shots in the second period were 8-3 for the Moose, 18-13 overall after two periods of play.

Only 1:02 into the third, Utah scored to tie the game at 2-2. Peter White fired a shot from the top of the Moose zone for the goal.

Late in the third, a Nolan Baumgartner pass was intercepted by Aaron Gavey, who left the puck for Erik Westrum on a three-on-one going back the other way. Westrum made no mistake in rifling the shot by Auld to give Utah their first lead of the night.

The Moose had a number of great chances to tie it up late. Kevin Bieksa and Lee Goren each had excellent chances to win it but couldn't get the puck on net. Eventually, their pressure down low paid off as Jeff Heerema scored his second of the game to draw the Moose even at 3-3.

Shots in the third period were 14-8 for the Moose, making it 32-21 overall.

The best chances in overtime came late, Heerema and Sarno had a two-on-one but Sarno's shot was stopped by Pelletier. Jason King also had an excellent opportunity in the final minute but was turned away.

Josh Green scored first for the Moose, going backhand followed by forehand before putting it in. Erik Westrum then rifled it off the goal post for Utah.

Jeff Heerema was stopped by a Pelletier pad save. Auld stopped Gavey.

Pelletier made a diving stop on Ryan Kesler. Keith Ballard's attempt was poked away by Auld.

Bieksa's shot attempt was stopped by Pelletier while Auld made the save on Peter White.

As the sudden death round was entered, Josh Green's second shootout attempt was saved by Jean-Marc Pelletier. Auld also stopped Erik Westrum subsequently.

In the seventh round, Heerema's second shot attempt was foiled by Pelletier who closed up the five-hole. Aaron Gavey's second attempt was successful, giving the Grizzlies the win.

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