AHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah Grizzlies beat Houston Aeros

March 19, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, UT - The Grizzlies continued their shootout success on Friday night defeating the Houston Aeros 2-1 in a shootout. The Grizzlies went three-for-three in the extra session extending their shootout goal streak to seven straight shooters. Jamie Storr made 34 saves and Jakub Koreis scored the Grizzlies regulation goal as Utah finished their six-game home stand with a 2-3-1-0 mark.

Utah came out physical in the opening frame as it took Doug Doull just 18 seconds to drop the gloves versus John Erskine. Doull had missed the previous 20 games due to injury. The Grizzlies got on the scoreboard at the 8:36 mark on a delayed penalty call against Houston. Jakub Koreis found a bouncing puck at the left circle and spun a shot by Mike Smith for his third goal of the season, all against Houston. The assists were credited to Martin Sonnenberg and Eric Labelle (his first AHL point). Houston outshot the Grizzlies 13-11 in the period as Jamie Storr was perfect and Smith turned aside 10 shots.

The Grizzlies kept the pressure up in the second period outshooting the Aeros 12-7 but neither team could find the back of the net as both goaltenders were very sharp. After 40 minutes the Grizzlies led 1-0. In the second period, Martin Sonnenberg received a penalty shot, the first for Utah since last March (Barrett Heisten) and Smith made the save keeping Houston within reach.

The Aeros tied the game in the third period on a rebound goal by Marc Cavosie, his third of the year, assisted by Dan Cavanaugh and Chris Heid at the 1:53 mark of the period. The game finished tied at 1-1 and headed to overtime. Through regulation, Houston was outshooting the Grizzlies 34-30.

Nothing was decided in overtime so the teams went to a shootout where for the second straight shootout the Grizzlies were perfect connecting on all three shots they needed for the extra point. Jamie Storr stopped three of four shooters and Erik Westrum, Jarrod Skalde and Justin Cox scored for Utah putting the game away. It was the second time this season Smith has lost to his former teammates in a shootout. Houston finished the game outshooting the Grizzlies 35-32 as Storr earned first star honors making 34 saves.

Utah will travel to San Antonio to begin a three-game road trip tomorrow at the SBC Center with face-off scheduled for 6:00 PM (mst).

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American Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2005


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