AHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah defeats Manitoba

January 29, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH - In a thriller on Friday night at the 'E' Center, the Grizzlies battled back from a 2-1 third period deficit to gain a 4-3 shootout victory over the AHL's best road team, the Manitoba Moose. Aaron Gavey scored the game deciding goal in the shootout and had an assist while Jean-Marc Pelletier shined in the shootout and made 30 saves in the game earning the victory.

The Moose started the scoring at 6:31 of the first period with a big hit in the corner by Lee Goren against Keith Ballard that freed the puck up for Jeff Heerema who backhanded a shot by Jean-Marc Pelletier for his 10th goal of the season. Utah took advantage of their third power play chance by continually jabbing at a puck at the doorstep that eventually found its way by Alexander Auld. Randall Gelech got credit for his ninth goal of the season assisted by Martin Sonnenberg and Matthew Spiller. Each team mustered 10 shots on goal.

The Grizzlies had their chances in the second period with 8:11 of power play hockey including a five-minute major penalty for high sticking called against Josh Green but Utah could only muster three shots on goal in the period, two on the power play. The only goal of the period came from Peter Sarno who camped out on the backdoor and buried a pass from Kent Huskins by Pelletier for his ninth goal of the season. Manitoba had eight shots on goal in the frame and carried an 18-13 two period lead.

In the third period, the Grizzlies battled back to tie the game on a quick shot form the corner by Keith Ballard that sat on the goal line for Peter White to swipe by for his eighth goal of the season at the 1:02 mark of the period. Utah would gain their first lead of the game with a terrific defensive play by Aaron Gavey that started a 3-on-1 rush with Kiel McLeod and Erik Westrum throwing some passes back and forth before Westrum undressed Auld for his eighth goal of the season giving Utah a 3-2 lead.

The Moose pulled Auld with a little over a minute remaining in regulation and had constant pressure on Pelletier before Heerema scored his second goal of the game and 11th of the season scoring off a series of rebounds. The goal came with 41 seconds remaining and it sent the game to overtime.

After a scoreless five-minute overtime, the two clubs went to a shootout for a second straight meeting and once again the Grizzlies took the measure of the Moose. Fredrik Sjostrom scored the tying goal in the shootout and Gavey won the game in the seventh round. Pelletier earned first star honors making 30 saves in the game and stopping six of seven Moose shooters in the shootout. Auld finished the night making 22 saves.

Utah will host the Manitoba Moose again on Saturday night at the 'E' Center with face-off scheduled for 7:05 PM.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 29, 2005


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