Aeros' shot barrage shuts out the Grizz

HOUSTON — The Utah Grizzlies (21-34-4-4) watched as the Houston Aeros rattled off a season-high 51 shots Saturday, including 37 in the final two periods, and tallied five goals to defeat the Grizzlies 5-0. It marks the 11th time this season that Utah has been shut out.

A tightly contested first period saw the only goal come on a miscue by the Grizzlies in the offensive zone that led to a 2-on-1 with Mark Cullen and Jeff Hoggan that resulted in a Hoggan breakaway and his 13th goal of the season. The Aeros outshot the Grizzlies 14-11 in the period, and each team failed to convert on a pair of power plays.

The Grizzlies hibernated during the rest of the game as Houston had 19 shots compared to eight for the Grizzlies in the second period and connected twice to increase their lead to 3-0. Jason Beckett banged home a rebound for his second goal of the season, assisted by Cullen and Kevin Mitchell. Late in the period, Marc Cavosie back-handed a missed clear by the Grizzlies underneath Jason Bacashihua for his ninth goal of the season. Bacashihua stopped 17 shots in the period and Holmqvist remained perfect turning aside all eight Grizzly shots.

Utah will next face the San Antonio Rampage this afternoon in the SBC Center. Face-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. (MST).