Niemo, Rosborough Score First Pro Goals in Utah’s 6-3 Win
Salt Lake City, Utah – Nicolas Niemo and Ryan Rosborough each scored their first pro goals and the Utah Grizzlies also got 1 goal and 1 assist from Aiden Hansen-Bukata and Cy LeClerc as they defeated the Wichita Thunder 6-3 in front of a crowd of 4684 at Maverik Center.
Wichita’s Jay Dickman scored 22 seconds into the contest. Ryan Rosborough tied it up with his first pro goal 1:49 in. Rosborough scored 6 goals in four seasons at St. Cloud State University. Cy LeClerc gave Utah a 2-1 lead as he scored from the right wing 18:18 in. Utah led 2-1 after 20 minutes of play. The Grizzlies are 16-4-4 when leading after one period this season.
Aiden Hansen-Bukata delivered a long range pass down the middle of the ice to Nicholas Niemo, who skated in and fired a low shot passed Wichita goaltender Roddy Ross for his first pro goal. Niemo had 16 goals in his four year college career. Niemo scored a power play goal as Utah went 1 for 2 on the power play. Hansen-Bukata earned his 19th power play assist of the season. Wichita’s Jake Wahlin scored 31 seconds later to make it a 3-2 game. Utah led by one goal after 40 minutes.
Hansen-Bukata provided some insurance for Utah with his fifth goal of the season 2:53 into the third period. It was Hansen-Bukata’s 9th multiple point game of the season. Wichita cut into the lead as Matt Crasa scored his 9th of the season to make it a 4-3 game 10:59 in. Mikey Colella provided Utah with some insurance on a great pass from Dylan Gratton 12:22 in. Evan Friesen completed the scoring by scoring on a sharp angle 15:34 in. Friesen is now tied with Danny Dzhaniyev for second on the club with 23 goals.
Utah outshot Wichita 15 to 3 in the third period and 32 to 24 for the contest. Hunter Miska got the victory in net for Utah as he stopped 21 of 24. Roddy Ross saved 26 of 32 in the loss for Wichita.
Colella, Gratton, LeClerc and Niemo were each a +2 for the Grizzlies, who won their 25th game of the season. Utah is now 3-2-1 vs Wichita this season.
The homestand continues on Friday night as Utah faces Wichita at 7:10 pm. Tickets are available at utahgrizzlies.com or by calling (801) 988-8000.
3 stars
- Cy LeClerc (Utah) – 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 2 shots.
- Ryan Rosborough (Utah) - 1 goal, +1, 3 shots.
- Nicholas Niemo (Utah) – 1 goal, 1 assist, +2, 3 shots.
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