Utah Grizzlies: Second-period surge propels Grizzlies past Thunder

STOCKTON, Calif. — The Utah Grizzlies scored six unanswered goals after falling behind 1-0 in the first period and Islanders rookie prospect Mikko Koskinen stopped 34 of 36 shots in his ECHL debut as Utah (29-27-3-5) defeated the Stockton Thunder 6-2 on Friday night in California.

Utah (29-27-3-5) broke open a 1-1 tie with four goals in an 8:16 stretch of the second period to take a 5-1 lead. Vlady Nikiforov tapped in his 17th goal of the year 3:30 into the second frame, and AJ Perry scored his 25th of the year 2:21 later on the power-play before Ryan Kinasewich potted two shorthanded goals — his 40th and 41st of the season — in 2:24 to break the game open. Kinasewich also overtook Victoria's Wes Goldie, who has 40, for the league lead in goal scoring.

Tom May took a centering attempt from James Sixsmith 1:15 into the third period for his 21st goal to cap the Utah scoring and make it 6-1.

Both Stockton goals came on special teams, including the first one 4:14 into the game, as James Bates scored his 28th of the year on the power-play.

Simon Ferguson redirected home a Matt Sorteberg shot at 10:19 with his first goal of the season to tie the game. Koskinen kept Utah in the contest in the first period by stopping 14 of 15 Thunder shots.

Eleven Utah players picked up points in the game, including May (one goal, one assist), Sixsmith (two assists) and Dylan Hunter (two assists), who joined Kinasewich with multiple-point nights.

Utah and Stockton (29-25-2-7) play again tonight at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 5:05 p.m..

The Grizzlies return home for their final three home games of the year beginning March 24 when they will host Bakersfield to start a Wednesday, Friday, Saturday series. Face-off all three nights is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at the E-Center.