Grizzlies claw way to win over Eagles

LOVELAND, CO – The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Colorado Eagles 5-2 Friday night at Budweiser Events Center.

Utah goaltender Ryan Faragher entered the game with 6:10 left in the second period and stopped all 23 shots that he saw after Rob Nichols, in his pro debut, left the contest after taking a slash from Colorado’s Matt Register. Nichols earned the win stopping the first 14 shots that he saw before the penalties.

Utah built a 3-0 lead on a shorthanded goal by Erik Bradford 10:45 into the second period, Colorado responded 27 seconds later with two goals in 10 seconds to make it 3-2 as the game took a drastic turn.

The Grizzlies had to kill three minutes shorthanded on a major penalty early in the third period to hold the 3-2 lead.

Utah added an insurance goal from C.J. Eick (7th of the season) with Erik Higby (one goal, one assist) and Phil Pietroniro picking up assists 5:32 into the third period to make it 4-2 as the Grizzlies held a puck in and went to the net.

Austen Brassard finished the scoring with an empty-net goal in the final minute.

Higby gave Utah a 1-0 lead on a five-on-three goal 11:27 into the first period from Zac Larraza and Garrett Haar.

Utah made it 2-0 with 3:07 left in the period on Brassard’s first goal as Michael Pelech fed him up ice from Mathieu Aubin.