WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies (19-13-1-0) defeated the Idaho Steelheads 3-1 Saturday night at Maverik Center.
“Our guys put in one heck of an effort from start to finish,” said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. “There are some areas we can improve upon but it’s not a perfect game. We competed well and our willingness to block shots and do the right things on the penalty-kill was there. Ryan Walters’ effort on that shorthanded goal was phenomenal. Taker’s power-play goal with Puskar in front of the net creating traffic with a screen; that’s what you want to see.”
The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead 9:44 into the first period and never looked back as Ryan Faragher improved to 14-5-1-0 stopping 26 of 27 shots. Idaho broke up the shutout with 1:25 left in regulation.
“Faragher faced some quality shots tonight,” said Branham. “It wasn’t a high shot total but it was real quality. He was up to the task again as he is every single night. When we give him the run support, good things happen. From start to finish this season, he’s been tremendous. He’s the hardest worker on the ice and the hardest worker in practice. I can’t say enough about Ryan Faragher.”
T.J. Syner’s fifth goal of the year and second in three games made it 1-0 as he hammered in a puck from on top of the goal as Charles Sarault and Barry Almeida drew assists.
Utah made it 2-0 on their league-leading ninth shorthanded goal of the year 5:19 into the second period. Ryan Walters forced the puck deep into the Idaho end and worked to the net and scored as he was taken down for his 13th goal of the season.
“It’s a nice win especially since they’ve had our number all season,” said Walters. “I think this was a good character win and it felt like a playoff game. We came ready to play today so it makes it that much more special.”
The Grizzlies made it 3-0 1:44 into the third period as Shayne Taker threw in a power-play goal from the left circle as Jon Puskar blocked Idaho goaltender Jack Campbell’s view. Josh MacDonald also picked up an assist on the play, his second in the last three games.
Idaho’s goal ended 116:15 minutes of scoreless hockey pitched by the Grizzlies.
“We feel good about the way we’re playing and that’s the biggest thing,” said Branahm. “We had to get back to playing the right way and we’re doing that.”
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