Post Game: Grizzlies 4, Victoria 3 (SO)

After an impressive comeback on Wednesday, the Grizzlies were looking to take the lead early and hold it.

The Salmon Kings struck first scoring two goals within the first 2:55 of the game and held that lead until 12:47 of the 2nd period when Galbraith put Utah on the scoreboard. Victoria responded with under a minute to go in the 2nd, but the Grizzlies added another of their own 25 seconds later to end the 2nd period 3-2. In the 3rd period, Utah was able to keep the Salmon Kings from lighting the lamp and tallied one more of their own to tie the game and send it into overtime.

After a scoreless round of 4-on-4, the teams headed into their second shootout of the series. Mitch O'Keefe held Victoria scoreless, while AJ Perry and Brett Parnham captured the second point for the Grizzlies.

From the official post game:

The Utah Grizzlies (21-19-2-3) battled back from down 2-0 and 3-1 to complete their second comeback in as many games with a 4-3 shootout win Friday night in Victoria. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Grizzlies Rally Again; Win 4-3 in Shootout
highlights || Game Highlights 2/5/10 at Victoria
gamesheet || Utah at Victoria 2/5/10
interview || Kyle Radke 2/5/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Scoring Summary:

VIC W. Goldie (29), 2:04 1st period (Gladue); Salmon Kings 1, Grizzlies 0
VIC W. Goldie (30), 2:54 1st period (Siddall, Fillon); Salmon Kings 2, Grizzlies 0
UTA L. Galbraith (6), 12:47 2nd period (Perry, Kinasewich); Salmon Kings 2, Grizzlies 1
VIC W. Goldie (31), 19:11 2nd period; Salmon Kings 3, Grizzlies 1
UTA V. Nikiforov (10), 19:36 2nd period (Romano, Maxwell); Salmon Kings 3, Grizzlies 2
UTA T. Romano (5), 11:04 3rd period (Aston, Nikiforov); Salmon Kings 3, Grizzlies 3

SO UTA A. Perry


What Worked Well: Brett Parnham on the shootout.

We could just have well said AJ Perry on the shootout here. 3/4 on the shootout this season, Parnham just knows how to get it done when it comes down to it. While he didn't pick up the game winner, perse; he definitely sealed the deal for the Grizzlies.

What Could Have Worked Better: The first 5 minutes

2 goals in 2:55 - ouch. Mitch O'Keefe and the Grizzlies definitely made up for it, but we'd rather not watch this repeated any time soon. In this series so far Utah has been playing catch up rather than striking the first blow. We'd like to see the Grizzlies controlling the play from the beginning instead of waiting until they have to do so.

Who Made the Difference: Mitch O'Keefe

This was a toughy. There were so many to pick from in this game: Vlady for putting the pressure on Victoria every second, Crowder getting in the hits, Parnham with the shootout sealer, Perry sticking up for himself, Dylan just doing what he does, the blueliners (Aston, Clarke, Maxwell, Wilson, Radke, Sorteberg) for picking up their game after the first 5 minutes; but we have to go with O'Keefe for the comeback and the shootout.

Stars of the Game:

1. VIC - W. Goldie
2. UTA - A. Perry
3. VIC - L. Irving - WTF?


Additonal Notes:

> Brett Parnham is 3/4 on the shoot out this season.
> Two Grizzlies had multipoint games tonight: Vlady (1 goal, 1 assist) and Romano (1 goal, 1 assist)
> Five Grizzlies extend their scoring streaks: Romano, Perry, Kinasewich, Vlady and Aston.