Full-strength Utah Grizzlies fall to the Idaho Steelheads

WEST VALLEY CITY — The Idaho Steelheads added a late empty-netter to defeat the Utah Grizzlies 2-0 before 5,158 fans Friday night at Maverik Center.

Utah outshot Idaho 40-33, but Steelheads goaltender Jerry Kuhn stopped all 40 Utah shots. Andrew Engelage stopped 31 of 32 in goal for Utah.

"We have to stay positive and fight through this; it wasn't enough obviously," said Grizzlies head coach Kevin Colley. "We have to find ways to win; get that extra blocked shot, make sure every puck gets deep. These guys can't hang their heads, they have to look themselves in the mirror and come back tomorrow."

Utah dressed 16 skaters and had a full lineup for the first time since Dec. 9, as they have worked five players into the rotation this week.

Utah outshot Idaho 15-8 in the first period and drew three of the first four power plays, but was unable to score.

In the second, Utah drew two more power plays and Idaho scored four-on-four 5:01 into the frame on a David Fredricksson goal. The Grizzlies finished the second by killing five straight penalties, including a four-on-three situation and back-to-back five-on-three power plays.

Utah outshot Idaho 12-7 in the third, but was unable to get the equalizer as they drew a power play in the final five minutes.