AHL Utah Grizzlies

Utah loses to Chicago

March 27, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release


WEST VALLEY CITY, UT - The Grizzlies fell behind 3-0 on Saturday night versus Chicago giving up three power play goals but came back with a thrilling third period pulling to within one goal but fell just short dropping a 3-2 decision to the Chicago Wolves. With the victory, Chicago pulls to three points ahead of the Milwaukee Admirals in the Western Division and win their seventh straight road game.

Chicago drew first blood at the 7:38 mark of the opening period when Brad Larsen knocked a rebound home after David LeNeveu stopped a Travis Roche shot. For Larsen, it was his team-leading 25th goal of the season assisted by Roche and Stephen Weiss. Chicago outshot the Grizzlies 13-8 in the period. Second year sensation Kari Lehtonen made eight saves for the Wolves, while LeNeveu turned aside 12 shots.

The Wolves remained powerful in the second period scoring twice more on the power play and taking a commanding 3-0 lead after 40 minutes. Cory Larose scored the first one of the period re-directing a Travis Roche past LeNeveu for his 24th goal of the season keeping pace with Larsen for the team lead. Roche and Larsen drew the assists on the power play goal. Chicago scored again less than four minutes later while holding a five-on-three advantage. Tommi Santala threw a pass across the goalmouth finding Steve Maltais who set the puck and knocked it by LeNeveu for his 18th goal of the season assisted by Santala and Greg Hawgood. Chicago outshot the Grizzlies 17-3 in the period taking a 30-11 two period total lead.

Utah came roaring back in the third period scoring twice against the Wolves and Lehtonen. The first was scored on the power play with Terry Virtue finding Justin Cox on the doorstep for his fifth goal of the season. Virtue and Martin Sonnenberg drew the assists. Utah would cut the lead to one goal with some hard work led by Erik Westrum who threw a shot at Lehtonen and followed it up banging the rebound in for his team-leading 15th goal of the season. Randall Gelech and Joe Callahan had the assists. Utah had a chance late using an extra attacker and gaining a power play but couldn't find the back of the net falling by a goal.

Chicago outshot the Grizzlies 38-23 in the game as LeNeveu made 35 saves in the loss and Lehtonen made 21 saves earning his 36th victory of the season. Utah finished the night going 1 for 8 on the power play and Chicago went 3 for 11 with the man advantage.

The Grizzlies begin a four-game road trip on Tuesday in Milwaukee when they meet the defensing Calder Cup champs for the final time this season. Face-off is scheduled for 6:00 PM (mst) with Grizzlies Happy Hour running at a special time, 5:00-5:40.

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