Bacashihua leads Grizz to road win

MILWAUKEE — The Utah Grizzlies used 39 saves from Jason Bacashihua and a hat trick from Jarrod Skalde in a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Admirals Saturday afternoon.

The Grizzlies (13-19-4-3) finished their season-long eight-game road trip with a 2-4-2 record.

The Grizzlies' power play cashed in twice on three chances in the first period. Skalde scored both goals, his 13th and 14th of the season, giving the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead after one period. Utah was outshot in the opening frame 15-9, but Bacashihua, seeing his first start in the last three games, made 15 saves, including a diving glove stop off a blast from Andrea Johansson.

The Admirals (17-11-4-2) got on the board just 31 seconds into the second period when Vernon Fiddler banged home a rebound in front of Bacashihua for his third goal of the season. But the Grizzlies and veteran Skalde beat young Brian Finley five minutes later. Skalde scored off a face-off, blasting a shot by Finley to regain a two-goal lead for Utah.

Steve Gainey got in on the act in the third period as he and Warren Peters broke down the ice on a 2-on-1. Gainey hung onto the puck and blasted it through Finley's pads. Regan Darby had the only assist, his first with Utah.

The Grizzly defense took over from there, shutting out the Admirals the rest of the way.

Utah and Milwaukee will meet again on Monday night on "Derek Parra Night" at the E Center. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.