Grizzlies score four unanswered to down Aces

WEST VALLEY CITY, UT – The Utah Grizzlies scored four unanswered goals over the final twenty-three minutes of regulation to erase a deficit and defeat the Alaska Aces 5-3 at the Maverik Center Wednesday night.

“It’s a prideful group,” Utah Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham said. “We want to get in the playoffs as much as anyone. Our difference is our skill level and the players that we have in that room can make the difference.”

Utah took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game on a power-play goal by Ralph Cuddemi on his team leading 26th goal of the year from Carlos Amestoy and Marc-Andre Levesque.

Alaska then scored three-straight goals to take a 3-1 lead into the late stages of the second period.

“The difference was just the work ethic,” said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. “When we decide to take the game over, we can do that. When we decide to make the right plays and execute on the power-play, good things happen.”

Utah got the comeback started on a power-play goal by Zac Larraza from again Levesque and Amestoy with 3:03 left in the second period as the Utah forward walked into the left circle and fired.

The Grizzlies turned a 3-2 deficit into a 4-3 lead with two goals in the first 3:10 of the third period.

Mathieu Aubin and Erik Bradford led Erik Higby for a backhander in the circle 1:21 into the third to tie the game. For Higby, it was his 13th goal of the season.

Aubin then gave the Grizzlies the lead 1:49 later on his 14th goal of the season on the power-play as Bradford and Pelech again added assists.

Michael Pelech’s 14th of the season into an empty-net gave Utah a 5-3 lead with 1:10 left.

“We were fortunate to come back,” Branham said. “We need to make sure we are ready right off the hop of the puck Friday.”

Grizzlies goaltender Ryan Faragher made 12-straight saves to finish the contest.