ECHL Utah Grizzlies

Quick Start Gives Ontario Edge in Game 1

Published on April 3, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


West Valley City, Utah - The Ontario Reign defeated the Utah Grizzlies 5-2 Tuesday night in Ontario to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven quarterfinal ECHL playoff series.

The Reign kept the puck in the Utah end early and scored 3 goals in a 1:50 stretch from 4:16 to 6:06 to build a very early 3-0 lead.

"It's not the way we wanted to start," said Grizzlies Head Coach Kevin Colley. "We have to be honest with ourselves, we need to be better in every department. We need to realize that and move forward for game two."

Shane Owen replaced Ben Meisner after the third goal and stopped 30 of 32 shots the rest of the way as the Grizzlies rookie goaltender deserved a better fate in front of him to start the game.

Utah made it 3-1 as Ryan Howse scored just over two minutes later as Riley Armstrong and Nick Tuzzolino quickly worked the puck over the blueline for the cross ice pass.

The Grizzlies then cut the deficit to 3-2 as Alex Tuckerman fed David Eddy who walked in uncontested and pushed the puck over the shoulder of Ontario goaltender J.F. Berube.

Utah trailed 3-2 for 14:01 in the second period and had two power-play chances trying to tie the game at three late before Ontario took home a second attempt late in the second period to make it 4-2.

The Reign scored late on the power-play to make it 5-2.

The Grizzlies were integrating three new bodies back into the lineup as leading scorer Mitch Wahl, Ryan Howse and James Martin all had joined the team from the AHL in the last 24 hours.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. from Ontario.

The Grizzlies return home Friday and Saturday for games three and four of the series. Tickets are on sale now at utahgrizzlies.com, the Maverik Center box office or any Ticketmaster location. Group discounts for parties of 10 or more and catered luxury suite packages are available by calling (801) 988-7825.

Game 1: Tuesday, April 2: Ontario 5 Utah 2

Game 2: Wednesday, April 3: Utah at Ontario, 8 p.m.

Game 3: Friday, April 5: Ontario at Utah, 7:05 p.m.

Game 4: Saturday, April 6: Ontario at Utah, 7:05 p.m.

Game 5** Tuesday, April 9: Ontario at Utah, 7:05 p.m.

Game 6** Friday, April 12: Utah at Ontario, 8 p.m.

Game 7** Saturday, April 13: Utah at Ontario, 7 p.m.

**If Necessary, All Times Are Mountain

All games will be broadcast live on 1320 KFAN, 1320KFAN.com, iHeart Radio by searching "1320 KFAN" and for $9 PPV at UtahGrizzlies.com.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

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ECHL Stories from April 3, 2013


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