Utah Grizzlies: Aced by Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Aces defeated the Utah Grizzlies 5-3 Wednesday night at the Sullivan Arena.

Utah built a 1-0 lead 18:13 into the first period as Dylan Hunter was denied on a breakaway but Ryan Kinasewich kept the play alive and fed Tim Maxwell who walked in for his fourth goal of the year.

Utah had a four-minute power-play situation in the second period as Vlady Nikiforov took an ugly high-stick and did not return; but the Grizzlies (15-14-2-1) were unable to build on the lead before Alaska tied things at one with 4:56 left in the frame. Utah regained the lead at 2-1 going to the third period with Tim Crowder knocking in a lose puck in the crease with less than two seconds left to go in the second period. Tom May and Ryan Kinasewich picked up assists and the Utah captain added his 13th multiple-point game of the season.

Alaska scored on a power-play of their own just 1:46 into the third period before taking the lead at 6:49 in even-strength. Alaska added another insurance goal (14:32) and an empty-netter (18:13) to wrap up four-straight goals and take a 5-2 lead. Hugo Carpentier's second of the year made the score 5-3 with 11 seconds left. May and Crowder topped off multiple-point nights on the assists.

Dylan Hunter, playing for the first time since Dec. 2, after returning from an AHL call-up with Rochester, and still the team's third-leading scorer, sustained an undisclosed injury in the first period and did not return.

Utah continues their trip in Alaska with games on Friday and Saturday. Face-off both evenings is scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

The Grizzlies return home on Jan. 22 to host Ontario at the E Center at 7 p.m.