West Valley City• As Alaska's Tyler Ruegsegger skated toward him and prepared for the final attempt in Saturday night's shootout, Utah goaltender Andrew Engelage thought back to last year, when the two were teammates with the Grizzlies.

Suspecting Ruegsegger might go to his backhand, he was ready.

When Engelage made his fourth save of the dramatic shootout, he secured Utah's hard-earned 3-2 victory over the ECHL-leading Aces at the Maverik Center.

Moments earlier, Andrew Favot beat Alaska goalie Gerald Coleman to give the Grizzlies a one-goal advantage in the shootout and leave the outcome up to Engelage.

He came through.

"It's a little pressure, but that's pretty much my entire life," Engelage said. "When it comes down to that one final moment, it's exciting. Then, obviously, against a former teammate, that was entertaining as well."

Asked if he knew what Ruegsegger was going to do, Engelage smiled and said, "I knew the backhand five-hole was one of his moves and, fortunately, I got a piece of it."

In Friday night's 4-2 loss to Alaska, Utah squandered a 2-1 lead in the third quarter.

In the rematch against the defending ECHL champions, the Grizzlies rallied.

Only 1:44 into the third period, Mitch Fadden scored his sixth goal of the season to tie the game, 2-2, and eventually force the shootout.

After the first two shooters, Alaska owned a 1-0 lead. But the Grizzlies' Matt Reber scored and Engelage stopped two straight attempts by the Aces.

Down to its last attempt, Utah turned to Favot.

He beat Coleman over the top before Engelage kicked away Ruegsegger's last attempt.

"You definitely know their top guys' tendencies," Engelage said. "You know what they want to do. Other than that, it's just a little patience and make sure you don't necessarily bite on the first move."

With the win, Utah improved to 11-6 for the season, despite dealing with an outbreak of early call-ups and injuries.

"We just had to grind it out," said coach Kevin Colley. "... The guys had an outstanding third period, they got some momentum and then got rewarded."

luhm@sltrib.com —

Grizzlies 3,Alaska 2

R Goaltender Andrew Engelage stops four of five shots in the shootout and the Utah Grizzlies defeat Alaska, 3-2.

• Mitch Fadden ties the game with a goal early in the third period, setting up a scoreless overtime and the shootout.