
Wheeling Defeats Utah 5-2
February 26, 2021 - ECHL (ECHL)
Utah Grizzlies News Release
Wheeling, West Virginia - Pat Cannone scored a power play goal and Matthew Boucher scored 1 second after a power play to give the Utah Grizzlies a 2-0 lead but 5 unanswered Wheeling Nailers goals turned the game in favor of the home team as the Nailers won 5-2 over the Grizzlies on Friday night at WesBanco Arena.
Cannone and Riley Woods each returned to the Utah lineup after missing 7 straight games. Cannone got a one-timer from AJ White to get Utah on the board 3:59 into the contest. Cannone is tied with Ryan Lowney with 9 power play points. Cannone extends his point streak to 7 games. Utah got back on the power play 15 minutes into the first period. They didn't score on the power play but Boucher scored his 8th of the season 1 second after the power play ended to make it 2-0 Utah. Boucher leads the team with 8 goals on the year.
Wheeling scored 2 goals within a 23 second stretch to tie the game in the 2nd period. Matt Alfaro scored unassisted 14:06 into the period. Next shift it was Austin Fyten who converted on a Sean Josling pass to tie the game.
Nick Rivera gave Wheeling a lead as he intercepted a pass and scored 1:42 into the third. Matt Miller added an insurance goal 5:50 into the third and Cody Sylvester tallied an empty netter to end the scoring.
Utah went 1 for 3 on the power play, while Wheeling went 0 for 3. Wheeling goaltender Francois Brassard saved 24 of 26, while Utah's Kevin Carr saved 21 of 25.
The 3 game series at Wheeling is the only 3 games against an Eastern Conference opponent. It was also the first Grizzlies game in the Eastern time zone since they defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 6-4 on February 1st, 2020.
The series continues on Saturday night at 5:10 pm mountain time. Next homestand for the Grizzlies is on March 12th-14th against the Allen Americans. Tickets for every Grizzlies home game are available at utahgrizzlies.com.
3 stars
1. Nick Rivera (Wheeling) - GWG 1:42 into the third.
2. Matt Alfaro (Wheeling) - 1 goal. Has a 7 game point streak.
3. Francois Brassard (Wheeling) - 24 of 26 saves.
ECHL Stories from February 26, 2021
- Nine Lives for Blades as Win Streak Continues - Florida Everblades
- Rabbits Erase Third Period Deficit, Drop Late 5-4 Decision to Allen - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Fuel Rally to Beat Komets 3-2 in Overtime - Indy Fuel
- Rookies Make Game 2,000 Memorable for Nailers - Wheeling Nailers
- Americans End Losing Skid, Beat Greenville 5-4 - Allen Americans
- Wheeling Defeats Utah 5-2 - Utah Grizzlies
- Mavs Weekend Preview vs. Tulsa - Kansas City Mavericks
- Devante Stephens Recalled from Solar Bears - Orlando Solar Bears
- Ian McKinnon Earns AHL Call-Up with Providence - Jacksonville Icemen
- Veteran Forward Pelech Joins the Fuel - Indy Fuel
- ECHL Transactions - February 26 - ECHL
- Alex Dubeau Returns to South Carolina - South Carolina Stingrays
- Americans Gameday Preview: Allen at Greenville, 6:05 PM CST - Allen Americans
- Grizz Preview: Utah at Wheeling, February 26, 2021 - Utah Grizzlies
- Solar Bears Welcome Academy Sports + Outdoors as New Corporate Partner - Orlando Solar Bears
- Game Preview: Swamp Rabbits vs. Americans, 7:05 PM - Greenville Swamp Rabbits
- Game Preview: Stingrays at Everblades, February 26 at 7:30 PM - South Carolina Stingrays
- Win Streak on the Line vs. Rays - Florida Everblades
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.
Other Recent Utah Grizzlies Stories
- Utah Grizzlies Announce 2025-2026 Schedule
- Grizzlies Statement Regarding Beloved CEO Kevin Bruder (1968-2025)
- Utah Grizzlies 2024-25 Season in Review
- Grizzlies Finish 2024-25 Season with a 6-3 Road Victory
- Connors Scores Twice, Friesen Gets First Pro Goal in 5-2 Utah Win

