Utah Grizzlies down Wranglers in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — The Utah Grizzlies improved to 6-3 on the season with a 3-2 win over Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena Tuesday night.

Goaltender Mitch O'Keefe stopped 27 of 29 shots in the game to improve to 2-1.

James Sixsmith (two assists) and AJ Perry (one goal, one assist) each had multiple-point nights for the Grizzlies as the ECHL's leading goal

and point scorer Ryan Kinasewich was held scoreless for just the second of nine contests this year.

The Grizzlies never trailed in the game, striking first as Perry knocked in a rebound for his second goal of the year at 13:11 of the first period. Las

Vegas tied the game up at one 13:35 into the second period, but Utah responded just 2:31 later as Jason Dale (2) knocked home a rebound as Utah crashed the net in scrappy fashion.

Utah added insurance 5:44 into the third period as they held the puck in following a strong rush before Tim Maxwell fired home his first goal of the year from the high-slot to make the game 3-1. Las Vegas made it 3-2 with3:05 remaining on a power-play shot past a screened O'Keefe, but the Grizzlies held on for the win in a dramatic final minute as both teams desperately battled in the Utah end.

The youthful Grizzlies remained the only undefeated ECHL team on the road in the victory as they improved to 5-0 away from the E-Center. Utah also improved to 3-0 against the Wranglers in the first of seven-straight games for Utah against Las Vegas.

The Grizzlies and Wranglers meet again Thursday and Friday in Las Vegas. Face-off both evenings is scheduled for 8:05 p.m.

Utah returns home to start a ten-game home stand Saturday when they will host Las Vegas at 7:05 p.m.