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 3rd 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
- Hank Crone (Allen) – GWG, 6 shots.
- Leevi Merilainen (Allen) – 49 of 51 saves.
- William Provost (Allen) – 1 goal, 2 shots.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers