Grizzlies 2, Griffins 2

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Utah Grizzlies (12-19-4-3) fought hard and earned a point against the West Division-leading Grand Rapids Griffins (20-12-5) with a 2-2 tie in front of 6,044 fans at the Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins scored first after Antti Miettinen was penalized for high sticking Dave Van Drunen, giving Grand Rapids the first power play of the night. With the man-advantage the Griffins were able to capitalize on a misplayed puck behind Ron Tugnutt. Michel Picard forced it away from Tugnutt and Derek King was able to bring the puck around the net and backhand it in. Utah outshot the Griffins 10-4 in the period, but Marc Lamothe made several great saves.

After going almost five full periods without scoring a goal, the Grizzlies finally got on the board as they had a five-on-three power play that looked like the Edmonton Oilers of old with Antti Miettinen and Nick Naumenko moving the puck around. Miettinen hit the crossbar just moments before Naumenko blasted one off Lamothe that sat in the crease for Justin Cox to bang home his eighth goal of the season. Tugnutt was outstanding in the second frame making 12 saves including a great diving glove save off a one-timer from Van Drunen.

The Griffins would regain the lead just after the Grizzlies had killed off a Grand Rapids power play. Jiri Hudler threw a shot from a tough angle that deflected off Tugnutt and over the line for a 2-1 Grand Rapids lead. Hudler has scored three goals against Utah this season in just two games. Utah would tie the game late in the third period when David Gove pushed a rebound off a Dan Jancevksi shot past Lamothe eventually sent the game into overtime earning a point for Utah.

In the overtime each team generated a couple chances but as was the case with most of the game, the defense prevailed.

The Grizzlies finish their eight-game road swing this afternoon in Milwaukee. Face-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. MST.