It’s a Party of Five in Utah’s Victory over Kansas City
West Valley City, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies score five unanswered goals, including four in the third period as they defeated the Kansas City Mavericks 5-2 in front of a crowd of 5165 at Maverik Center.
Neither team scored in the first period with both clubs registering 9 shots on goal. Kansas City took a 1-0 lead on Damien Giroux’s 10th goal of the season 2:41 into the second frame. 2 minutes 2 seconds later Cade Borchardt scored his league leading 22nd goal of the season to extend KC’s lead. Utah got on the board as Cody Corbett scored from a sharp angle 16:45 in as he scored his first goal in a Utah uniform. Utah now has a second period goal in 16 of their last 17 games. The Mavericks led 2-1 after 40 minutes of play.
Andrew Nielsen tied it up on a laser from the right point 1:56 into the third period. Derek Daschke scored the game winner on a power play 13:48 in. Daschke now has 5 goals on the season and he is averaging 1 point per game with 24 points in 24 games. Mick Messner added Utah’s second power play goal of the period 17:03 in. Keaton Mastrodonato and Neil Shea each picked up assists on each of Utah’s two power play goals. Cole Gallant capped off the night with an empty netter 17:35 in.
Gallant and Messner each had 1 goal and 1 assist in the victory. Jake Barczewski was solid in net for his fourth straight start has he stopped 30 of 32. Utah won the special teams battle as they went 2 for 3 on the power play and 3 for 3 on the penalty kill.
The Grizzlies are 5-2 over their last 7 games. Utah has scored 37 goals over their last 8 games. The Grizzlies ended Kansas City’s 8 game road winning streak.
The weekend series continues on Saturday night at 7:10 pm. Tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com or by calling (801) 988-8000.
3 stars
- Derek Daschke (Utah) – 1 goal, 5 shots.
- Mick Messner (Utah) – 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 2 shots.
- Andrew Nielsen (Utah) – 1 goal, +2, 3 shots.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
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