WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Allen Americans (3-2-0) defeated the Utah Grizzlies (2-1-0) by a 4-2 score on Friday night, to move over 500 for the first time this season and spoil Utah’s home opener.
Allen opened the scoring in the first period when Gary Steffes, scored his second of the season on a power play from Greger Hanson and Tristan King. Allen held the lead for only 59 seconds that’s when Barry Almeida scored his 6th in three games to even the score at 1-1 at the end of the first period. The Americans held a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal.
The Americans grabbed the lead back in the second period when Jonathan Parker, scored his first of the season, and first since being traded to Allen. Justin Baker and Chad Costello assisted on Parker’s goal and the Americans had a one goal lead back 2-1.
The Americans increased their lead to 3-1 when Daniel Doremus poked one past Bryan Hogan for his first of the season from Eric Roy and Casey Pierro-Zabotel at the 6:52 mark of the final period. Utah’s Alex Krushelnyski scored on the power play at 14:26 to cut the lead to one goal again, and it remained that way until the final minute when Greger Hanson, scored an empty netter for his second in as many games.
“We played better tonight,” said Allen Americans Head Coach and Gm Steve Martinson. “Our goaltending was great again and we gave him enough goals to win the game.”
With Allen Americans team release