Grizzlies lose late to Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Utah looked to earn a point in its third consecutive game on Saturday in Grand Rapids against the first-place team in the West Division, the Grand Rapids Griffins, but fell 2-1 in front of 7,638 fans at the Van Andel Arena.

The Griffins used two power-play goals to propel past the Grizzlies in the first meeting of the year between the two teams.

The Grizzlies came out strong against the Griffins, getting five shots on net in the first four minutes, but Grand Rapids netminder Drew MacIntyre was sharp.

Grand Rapids took advantage of its first power-play chance midway through the first period when Eric Manlow threw a pass out in front to Nathan Robinson, who buried his fourth goal of the season past Grizzly Jean-Marc Pelletier. Utah outshot the Griffins 13-9 in the first period.

The second period was a defensive struggle as neither team generated much offense. Utah newcomer Aaron Gavey created the best chance, taking a turnover and finding Randall Gelech at the side of the Griffins net, but Gelech's shot hit the crossbar. Grand Rapids outshot the Grizzlies 10-6 in the frame as Pelletier continued to play a strong game.

Utah tied the game in the third period, ending the Griffins scoreless streak at 114:55 dating back three games. The Grizzlies goal came when Keith Ballard foiled a three-on-one rush by the Griffins diving down to deflect a pass up to Jakub Koreis ,who fed Justin Cox coming straight down the center. Cox deflected the pass behind MacIntyre tie the game at one goal apiece at 9:22 of the third period.

With less than five minutes remaining in the period a missed one-timer by Matthew Spiller forced him to bring down a Griffins skater and get a hooking call, putting Grand Rapids on their fifth power play of the game. They didn't waste time, with Bryan Helmer pounding a shot from the slot through a screen past Pelletier for his fourth goal of the season just nine seconds into the power play.

The Grizzlies outshot the Griffins 25-24 as Pelletier took the hard-luck loss, playing his best game of the season, making 22 saves. MacIntyre improved to 3-1 making 24 saves for the Griffins who have allowed just two goals in their last 220:53.

The Grizzlies now head home for a pair of games vs. Rochester. Monday's game will face-off at 7:05 PM.