Grizzlies Win 3-2 to Take 2-0 Series Lead
Boise, Idaho – The Utah Grizzlies got 29 key saves from Trent Miner and Kyle Mayhew had 1 goal and 1 assist to lead the Utah Grizzlies to a 3-2 win over the Idaho Steelheads. The Grizzlies lead the best of 7 Mountain Division Semifinals 2 games to 0.
Tarun Fizer got Utah on the board 16:54 into the contest on a power play goal from the left circle. Utah went 1 for 4 on the power play and 4 for 4 on the penalty kill. Utah led 1-0 after 1 period. Neither team scored in the second period. Idaho had 4 power plays in the second period and outshot Utah 15 to 7 in the middle frame.
Utah extended the lead to 2-0 early in the third period as Kyle Mayhew fired a shot from the left point and was redirected by a Steelhead into the back of the net. Mayhew had 1 goal and 1 assist in the contest. Idaho got on the board as Cody Haiskanen scored from the right wing 5:06 in. Utah scored a huge insurance goal as Dylan Fitze fired away from an empty net with 2:42 left in regulation. Idaho’s Ty Pelton-Byce scored with 2:05 left to make things interesting. Utah held strong for the final 2 minutes to secure victory.
Utah goaltender Trent Miner saved 29 of 31 to secure the victory. Miner has saved 103 of 105 shots over his last 3 games. Idaho’s Adam Scheel stopped 29 of 31 in the loss.
The series shifts to Maverik Center. Game 3 is on Wednesday night at 7:10 pm. Game 4 is on Friday night at 7:10 pm. Tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com or by calling (801) 988-8000.
3 stars
- Ty Pelton-Byce (Idaho) – 1 goal, +1, 4 shots.
- Cody Haiskanen (Idaho) – 1 goal, 3 shots.
- Tarun Fizer (Utah) – 1 goal, 3 shots.