Grizzlies run out of gas on road

HARTFORD, Conn. — Utah went nose to nose with the Wolf Pack on Saturday night in the Hartford Civic Center but ran out of gas. The Wolf Pack scored four times in the third period — including twice on the power play — to claim a 5-2 victory.

Hartford started the scoring early at the 1:52 mark with a wrap-around shot by Jeff Hamilton for his ninth goal of the season and sixth in his last nine games. Jake Taylor notched his first AHL point with an assist and Dominic Moore also was credited with a helper.

Utah would tie things up at the 4:28 mark with Randall Gelech backhanding a shot past Hartford goaltender Steve Valiquette for his second goal in as many nights and seventh of the season. Jarrod Skalde drew the only assist. Hartford outshot the Grizzlies 10-6 in the first period as Jean-Marc Pelletier made nine saves for Utah.

Neither team could get much offense going in the second period as Hartford outshot the Grizzlies 8-6. But Utah had better scoring chances as Valiquette was sharp, keeping the game at one goal apiece.

The offense showed up in the third period, at least for for Hartford. The Wolf Pack scored four times, including those two power-play goals, to put the game away. Chad Wiseman cashed in with two goals (one on the power play). Lawrence Nycholat scored a power-play goal of his own and Josef Balej tallied the other third-period goal for Hartford.

For Utah, Peter Metcalf scored his first goal as a Grizzly, assisted by Peter White and Fredrik Sjostrom.

Hartford outshot the Grizzlies 32-22 in the game as Steve Valiquette made 20 saves and improved to 7-5-1. Utah's Jean-Marc Pelletier made 27 saves, falling to 4-9-1.

The Grizzlies take on the Manchester Monarchs on Wednesday in the Verizon Wireless Arena. Face-off is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. MST.