Utah eliminates Wranglers in fifth game

WEST VALLEY CITY , Utah – In the end, there was little resistance for the Grizzlies in game five of their series with the Las Vegas Wranglers.   In fact, the game was over with little more than five minutes gone in the second stanza.   By that point, Utah had built a 4-0 lead and the Wranglers had no answers for any part of the Grizzlies’ game.   The final score, 5-1, was just a footnote on the evening and the Wranglers’ season thudded to an end.   Ryan Kinasewich picked up his fourth goal of the series in the first period to start the Utah victory run and Tim Crowder picked up his fourth of the post season, the team’s second of the night, in the second, and that marker was the game winner. Mikko Koskinen returned to the pipes for Utah after being banished in game two.   Tonight he was spectacular in making 38 saves on 39 shots.   Only Vegas’ Mick Lawrence ruined the shutout on a power play goal midway through the third period.   The goal did nothing to motivate the Wranglers as they seemed unable to mount an effective offense against the Grizzlies or Koskinen in net. The Grizzlies now move on to play the Idaho Steelheads in the second round of the ECHL playoffs.   The Steelheads were an impressive 48-17-2-5 in the regular season, good for 103 points in the National Conference.   With the first round bye, Idaho has had time to rest and certainly looked for the Grizzlies to need five games to oust the Wranglers. The question is one of rust for the Steelheads after the long wait. Contact Lou.Lafrado@prohockeynews.com Contact Photographer Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com