WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies (23-13-2-0) defeated the Wichita Thunder 3-2 in overtime Monday afternoon at Maverik Center before 7,337 fans on Maverik Monday.
“We’ll take the two points and the win; it was pretty exciting hockey for the fans. I thought we played a pretty solid game,” said Head Coach/General Manager Tim Branham. “At the end of the day, we found a way to get the win again.”
Barry Almeida scored the game-winning goal with 15.1 seconds left in overtime. Josh MacDonald fed Almeida (18) for the goal on an up ice feed from goaltender Matt Hackett who took a feed from Charles Sarault so the Grizzlies could change.
“It’s a good feeling,” said leading scorer Charles Sarault who finished with two assists. “It’s important to get these wins at home before we go on the road. Thanks to all the fans for being here tonight – it was amazing.”
Hackett, under contract with Anaheim, stopped 32 of 34 shots; including 19 of 20 in the third period and overtime to improve to 2-0 with the Grizzlies.
“It was great to have Hackett; he got us a couple wins here,” said Branham. He’s done a great job for us and made a great play in overtime.”
Wichita took a 1-0 lead 5:07 into the first period as they scored on a delayed penalty with an extra attacker. The 1-0 lead lasted for 25:48 before Utah got going on the power-play.
Utah took a 2-1 lead on a pair of power-plays with goals 1:11 apart in the second period. First Eric Knodel blasted one home five-on-three to tie the game at one at 10:55 before the Grizzlies took their first lead of the night on a power-play goal by Erik Higby at 12:06. Both power-play goals were assisted by leading scorer Charles Sarault.
“We’re on a bit of a tear here – we have to keep this momentum up and just go out and do the simple things,” said Sarault.
Wichita tied the game with 6:34 left in regulation and that forced overtime.
The Grizzlies open a four-game road trip Friday in Toledo.
With Utah Grizzlies release
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