Americans Defeat Grizzlies 3-2 on Friday Night

Americans Defeat Grizzlies 3-2 

West Valley City, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies got goals from Bryan Yoon and Josh Wesley but it wasn’t enough as Allen Americans goaltender Leevi Merilainen saved 49 of 51 and they got goals from 3 different forwards as they defeated the Grizzlies 3-2 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center. 

Allen got on the board first as Matt Marcinew found the back of the net 2:53 into the contest. William Provost extended the Americans lead with an unassisted goal from the right point 15:56 in. Utah’s Bryan Yoon scored his first professional goal exactly 19 minutes into the first period. Yoon leads the Grizz with a +6 rating on the season. Allen led 2-1 after 1 period. 

Allen’s Hank Crone scored a power play goal 17:11 into the second period. Crone had 49 goals in 69 games last season. The Americans led 3-1 after 40 minutes of play. 

Utah captain Josh Wesley scored on a one timer from the right circle as he got his 3^rd goal of the season 12:42 into the third frame. Brandon Cutler and Dakota Raabe got the assists. For Cutler he now leads Utah with 11 points this season (4 goals, 7 assists). Utah outshot Allen 51 to 30 for the contest and 23 to 3 in the third period but they couldn’t get the tying goal across. The 51 shots taken by the Grizzlies is a season high for the season. 

Utah goaltender Dante Giannuzzi stopped 27 of 30 in the loss as the Grizzlies fall to 6-8 on the year. Allen got their first home win of the regular season as their record goes to 6-10-1. 

Forward Adam Berg made his Grizzlies debut and had 3 shots on goal. Wesley led Utah with 8 shots on goal. 

The Grizzlies will travel overnight and face the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday night at 6:05 pm mountain time at BOK Center. Utah returns to Maverik Center for a 3-game series vs Allen on December 6, 8-9. Face-off all 3 nights is at 7:10 pm. Tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com. 

3 stars 

1. Hank Crone (Allen) – GWG, 6 shots. 
2. Leevi Merilainen (Allen) – 49 of 51 saves. 
3. William Provost (Allen) – 1 goal, 2 shots.