Sports stats



AHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah beats Edmonton

October 10, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


Boise, Idaho - The Utah Grizzlies finished the pre-season with a perfect 2-0 mark after a hard-fought shootout victory against Edmonton on Saturday night at the BOA Centre in Boise, Idaho. Jason Jaspers scored in regulation for the Grizzlies and Erik Westrum scored the difference maker in the shootout for the Grizzlies giving them the victory despite being outshot 35-16 in the game. Frank Doyle stole the show in net for Utah making 34 saves earning his first professional victory.

Edmonton had twice as much jump in the first period than they did on Friday night but rookie goaltender Frank Doyle weathered the storm making seven saves in the period, most of which came in the first 10 minutes of the frame. Utah rallied later in the first period led by great work around the net from Fredrik Sjostrom. Tyler Moss made six saves in goal for the Road Runners as neither club could find the back of the net.

The second period was dominated by Edmonton who outshot the Grizzlies 12-0 but again Doyle looked strong stopping everything he faced including three power play chances for the Road Runners. Heavyweights Doug Doull (UT) and Brent Henley (ED) squared off towards the end of the period each earning fighting majors but that was about the only fireworks for Utah in the period.

Each team netted a goal in the third period with the Grizzlies drawing first blood when Mike Stutzel created an opportunity in front of the Road Runners net for Jason Jaspers who buried a shot over the left shoulder of Moss. It was Jasper's first goal of the pre-season. Edmonton answered the bell just 54 seconds later when a turnover created a two on one with Nate DiCasmirro dropping a pass back to Sean McAslan who pushed the puck into a nearly empty net.

The Grizzlies had to kill off a late power play for Edmonton but again held strong sending the game to overtime. Edmonton outshot the Grizzlies 12-8 in the period for a three-period total lead of 31-14.

In the overtime, Edmonton outshot the Grizzlies 4-1 but Doyle did what he needed to do sending the Grizzlies to their first shootout in the AHL.

In the shootout, the Grizzlies gained the advantage when Jaspers and Fredrik Sjostrom scored as the first two shooters with just Toby Petersen scoring for Edmonton but Mike Bishai scored for the Road Runners as the final shooter extending the shootout to sudden death where Erik Westrum scored in the third sudden death round giving the Grizzlies a 2-1 victory and a perfect pre-season.

The final shots on goal were 35-15 with Doyle stealing the show with 34 saves earning his first professional victory. Utah begins their regular season on Wednesday night at the 'E' Center versus the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks at 7:35 PM.

Check out the Utah Grizzlies Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from October 10, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central