Grizzlies Fall 4-2 in Home Opener at Maverik Center
Salt Lake City, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies got goals from John Gelatt and Reed Lebster but it wasn’t enough as the Idaho Steelheads got goals from four different players as they defeated Utah 4-2 in front of a crowd of 5761 in the home opener at Maverik Center.
Idaho’s Liam Malmquist scored 4:43 into the contest. Nick Portz gave the Steelheads a 2-0 lead 7:30 in. Utah got on the board as John Gelatt scored his first professional goal 9:20 in. Gelatt scored 15 goals in his college career at Holy Cross and he is the third Grizzlies skater to score their first pro goal this season.
Brendan Hoffmann gave Idaho a 3-1 lead 16:28 into the second period. Utah’s Reed Lebster scored a third period 5 on 3 goal 2:49 in to cut into the Idaho lead. Lebster has 4 goals in his last two games. Idaho scored an empty net goal by Charlie Dodero 19:14 in to complete the scoring as Idaho’s record goes to 3-2 on the season. Utah is now 2-2-1 on the campaign.
Idaho goaltender Nolan Maier saved 21 of 23 as his record goes to 3-1 on the season. Utah’s Dryden McKay saved 25 of 28.
Utah’s penalty kill was a perfect 6 for 6 on the night and they are 17 of 18 for the season. Utah was 1 for 3 on the power play.
The Grizzlies homestand continues on Wednesday, October 29th vs Jacksonville. Face-off will be at 7:10 pm and tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com.
3 stars
- Brendan Hoffmann (Idaho) – 1 goal, +1, 2 shots.
- Nolan Maier (Idaho) – 21 of 23 saves.
- Nick Portz (Idaho) – 1 goal, +1, 2 shots.
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