Post Game: Aces 5, Grizzlies 2

Utah started out strong, but a momentum change at the end of the 1st had the Grizzlies struggling to catch up with Alaska in the final 40 minutes.

The Grizzlies picked up the first 2 goals of the contest in the initial frame. Unfortunately, that would be the last time Utah lit the lamp. Alaska grabbed a goal with just over a minute left to play in the 1st, ending the period 2-1 in the Grizzlies favor. In the 2nd, the Aces tacked on 3 unanswered goals to grab the momentum and take the lead, 4-2. Mitch O'Keefe replaced Beau Erickson in net after Alaska's 4th goal and stopped all 20 shots he saw.

Utah battled back in the 3rd, but spent a good portion of the period in the penalty box and was unable to push themselves out of the 2 goal deficit. The Aces ended the night with an empty netter, 5-2.

From the official post game:

Utah led 11-3 on the shot board before Alaska scored their first goal of the night with 1:17 left in the first period and took the momentum from there, scoring four consecutive goals in a 15:31 span to take a 4-2 lead. Alaska added a late empty-netter with 1:13 left to go to finish the contest. [utahgrizzlies.com]

post game || Early Lead Disappears in Alaska
highlights || Game Highlights 3/3/10 at Alaska
gamesheet || Utah at Alaska 3/3/10
interview || Peter Aston 3/3/10 intermission
blog || Adrian Denny's game day blog


Scoring Summary:

UTA A. Perry (22), 1st period (Kinasewich, Sixsmith); Grizzlies 1, Aces 0
UTA T. Romano (9), 1st period (Clarke); Grizzlies 2, Aces 0
AK S. Burt (10), 18:43 1st period (May, Kotsopoulos); Grizzlies 2, Aces 1
AK D. May (1), 5:57 2nd period (Ryznar, Tuzzolino); Grizzlies 2, Aces 2
AK N. Mazzolini (20), 9:05 2nd period (Marsh, Blackwater); Grizzlies 2, Aces 3
AK E. Boguniecki (16), 14:14 2nd period (Mazzolini, Crum); Grizzlies 2, Aces 4
AK N. Mazzolini (21), EN 18:47 3rd period (Boguniecki, Blackwater); Grizzlies 2, Aces 5


What Worked Well: Going to the net
Both Utah goals came from pushing the puck right up to the net, and it seemed like the whole team was on the same page with this tactic. We saw a lot of defense-led rushes, and nobody was afraid to zip right up to the crease. We like that.

What Could Have Been Better: Staying out of the box
4 of Utah's 5 shorthanded situations were in the 3rd period. And while we didn't feel like the game was called very consistantly (seems everyone got away with a lot more in the first 2 periods of play - at least, it did to us), the back to back penatlies in the final frame really hurt the Grizzlies in their effort to make a comeback.

Who Made the Difference: Matt Clarke
While we can't underestimate the presence of Sixsmith on the ice, Matt Clarke continually pushed the puck toward the net, led several rushes, and worked well both offensively and defensively. Simply put, Clarke was on top of his game tonight and aided the team on the offense, which was needed, as well as kept up his end on defense. He also picked up an assist (or two) and the third star honor. A great game for Clarke.


Stars of the Game:

1. AK - D. May
2. AK - N. Mazzolini
3. UTA - M. Clarke


Additional Notes:

> James Sixsmith tallied an assist in the contest to drive his winning streak into the double digits - 10 games.
> Mitch O'Keefe stopped all 20 shots he saw in the losing effort.