Utah Grizzlies: Grizzlies lose to Wranglers but earn a playoff spot

LAS VEGAS — The conference leading Wranglers defeated the Utah Grizzlies 2-1 Friday at the Orleans Arena.

The Grizzlies (30-25-1-6), however did clinch a playoff berth for the second time in three years thanks to the Alaska Aces who defeated the Bakersfield Condors 3-2 in regulation.

Las Vegas took a 1-0 lead on a Jason Krischuk power-play goal with 26 seconds left in the first period. Utah tied it 25 seconds into the second with Travis Rycroft scoring his seventh of the year. The puck careened past goaltender Daniel Manzato, who was attempting to play it behind the net, and bounced to the Utah captain out in front.

Las Vegas (39-11-5-7) scored the game-winning goal just over five minutes later with Brandon Kaleniecki shooting a puck off of goaltender Mike Mole and into the net.

Utah went 0-7 on the power-play as the Grizzlies string of seven-straight games with a power-play goal came to an end. The all-time team-high 10-game unbeaten streak on the road was also snapped. Mole (18-13-1-4) stopped 35 of 37 shots.

Utah and the Wranglers will meet again today in Las Vegas. Face-off is at 8:05 p.m.