RAPID CITY, SD – The Utah Grizzlies (34-28-5-2) defeated the Rapid City Rush 4-2 Saturday night at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
With the win, the Grizzlies finish their road trip 5-0, completed a three-game series sweep of Rapid City and moved into a playoff spot for the first time since November 23.
“It was the road trip we needed,” Utah Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham said. “We came together as a group and now we return home in control of our playoff destiny.”
The Grizzlies now return home in the driver’s seat to clinch their tenth-straight playoff appearance when they will host Missouri in the final three games of the regular season Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Maverik Center. Face-off all three nights is scheduled for 7 p.m. Utah currently leads Alaska by one point and Missouri by three points. The Mavericks will play their game in hand Sunday.
Colin Martin (22nd goal of season) took a pass from Zac Larraza and scored into an open net with 52 seconds left in the third period to seal the win. Erik Bradford added an assist as well to finish his three-point night with one goal and two assists.
Utah held a 3-2 lead in the third period by outshooting Rapid City 9-4. Utah killed two penalties in the second half of the frame by not allowing a shot.
Anaheim Ducks prospect Kevin Boyle stopped 17 of 19 shots and earned victories in goal in all three games in Rapid City.
The Grizzlies took a 1-0 lead 3:31 into the first period as C.J. Eick (8th goal of season) knocked in a rebound from a Garrett Haar shot. The first period featured four fights as Travis Howe and Gabriel Verpaelst both dropped the gloves twice for Utah. After Rapid City tied the contest, Bradford gave Utah a 2-1 lead going to the first intermission with his 16th goal of the year seven seconds after a power-play expired.
The Grizzlies made it 3-1 4:31 into the third period on a power-play goal by Larraza as he scored from the left circle from Bradford and Martin. The Rush made it 3-2 with 5:51 left in the second period.
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