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West Valley City • Utah coach Kevin Colley was happy the Grizzlies escaped with a 4-3 victory over Stockton on Saturday night at the Maverik Center.

But pleased?

Hardly.

"… There are just not enough guys that I trust in all situations of the game," Colley said. "You have to have pride and, right now, there just isn't enough determination — or whatever you call it."

In particular, Colley was upset with the Grizzlies' play in the third period, when Utah maintained a one-goal lead but was outshot, 13-3.

"We played pretty bad in the third in all three zones," Colley said. "… We just have to play better — with more passion and more pride — because you can't play hockey like that in the playoffs."

Despite Colley's displeasure, the Grizzlies extended their winning streak to three.

With nine regular-season games left, including four against ECHL bottom-feeder Bakersfield, Utah moved within four points of Stockton in the race for fifth place in the Western Conference.

Paul McIlveen scored two goals and Mitch Wahl snapped a second-period tie for the second straight night as the Grizzlies swept this critical two-game series with the Thunder.

In the first period, Utah rallied from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits, which ended in a 2-2 tie after McIlveen's first goal.

The Grizzlies grabbed a 3-2 lead in the second period when McIlveen scored again, following exceptional work along the boards and a crisp cross-ice pass by John Armstrong.

After the Thunder tied the game again, Wahl scored a power-play goal at 7:39 to push Utah in front again, 4-3.

Wahl was behind the goal and simply tried to center the puck, but it deflected off a defender and behind goalie Thomas Heemskerk.

In the third period, the Grizzlies played sluggishly, but they successfully protected their lead.

The Thunder finished with a 34-26 advantage in shots on goal. —

Storylines Grizzlies 4, Thunder 3

R Paul McIlveen scores his 27th and 28th goals of the season during the Grizzlies' 4-3 victory over Stockton.

• Goalie Andrew Engelage blanks the Thunder over the final 34 minutes.