Thunder and Grizzlies tied at one-apiece

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies split the series with Stockton Thunder at one game apiece, before heading back to Stockton for subsequent games.   The Thunder came back from a one-goal deficit to force overtime and ultimately found a way to solve Jean-Philippe Lamoureux with a slapshot goal by Kelly Czuy at 3:53 into overtime to win the game 3-2.
 
In game two, at the Maverik Center before 2,647 fans, Utah’s Giffen Nyren opened the scoring on a power play goal at 8:56 in the first period, assisted by Nick Tuzzolino.   The goal seemed to ricochet off the post into the net. The teams remained scoreless through the remainder of the first period and the second period.  
 
The Thunder pounded away at Lamoureux with 29 shots on goal, allowing only 21 shots in the first two periods.
 
The third period Stockton knotted the score with a goal at 8:50 by Jordan Fulton, assisted by Kelly Czuy.   Then at 12:19, Captain Craig Valette scored a rebound wrister to put the Thunder back in the lead.  
 
Then within three minutes, the Grizzlies Brett Parnham scored a one-timer on power play, his second of the post-season, to even the score at 2-2.  
 
When regulation time expired, the score was still tied up. Tyson Sexsmith had 31 saves in all, while Lamoureux had 36.
 
In the first shot on net in sudden-death overtime, Czuy slapped the puck past Lamoureux to give the Thunder the win.
 
Utah is two for four on the man advantage, while the Thunder is zero for two.  The teams head back to Stockton Arena for game three on Saturday, April 9.
 
Contact the writer at Shellie.Lima@prohockeynews.com
Contact the Photographer at Jack.Lima@prohockeynews.com