Dzhaniyev Hat Trick Leads to Grizzlies Sunday Road Victory
Tulsa, Oklahoma – The Utah Grizzlies scored six goals in the third period to overcome a 3-1 deficit as they defeated the Tulsa Oilers 7-4 on a Sunday afternoon at BOK Center.
Neither team scored in the first period. Utah’s Reilly Connors scored unassisted 2:34 into the second period. Tyler Poulsen, Konnor Smith and Coulson Pitre each scored second period goals for Tulsa as they led 3-1 after 2 frames.
Utah scored three goals in 1:57 early in the third period to take a 4-3 lead. Danny Dzhaniyev scored a power play goal 2:01 in. 57 seconds later Reed Lebster scored his team leading 14th of the campaign. Exactly one minute later Dzhaniyev scored his second goal of the afternoon. Tulsa’s Dylan Fitze scored a power play goal 6:40 in to tie the contest. Stepan Timofeyev gave Utah a 5-4 lead 10:41 in. Timofeyev scored 1 goal and 3 assists in the victory. Evan Friesen got some insurance 16:09 in as he scored from the left wing. Dzhaniyev completed the hat trick with an empty net goal 18:41 in.
Dzhaniyev became the 9th player in the Grizzlies ECHL era to have 2 or more hat tricks in a single season. Dzhaniyev is now tied for the league lead for points among rookies with 25 (9 goals, 16 assists).
The 6 goals for the Grizzlies are the most in a third period in team history. It’s also the most goals in a single period for Utah since they scored 7 goals in the second period vs Wichita on January 25, 2025. The seven goals for the game tie a season high, which was just two days ago on December 19th in a 7-4 win at Kansas City.
Dylan Wells earned his team leading 7th win as he saved 28 of 32. Tulsa’s Vyacheslav Buteyetes stopped 38 of 44 in the loss. Utah was 1 for 6 on the power play, Tulsa was 2 for 2.
Reilly Connors and Evan Friesen each had 1 goal and 2 assists. Utah’s record goes to 12-13-2 on the season. They are 9-6-1 on the road, outscoring opponents 59 to 51. Utah has scored 20 goals in their last 4 games.
The Grizzlies will host the Idaho Steelheads in a two-game series at Maverik Center on December 26-27. Face-off both nights are at 7:10 pm and tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com.
3 stars
- Danny Dzhaniyev (Utah) – 3 goals, 1 assist, +4, 8 shots.
- Evan Friesen (Utah) – 1 goal, 2 assists, +5, 6 shots.
- Dylan Fitze (Tulsa) – 1 goal, 1 assist, 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