West Valley City • John Armstrong, who started the season in the ECHL with the Utah Grizzlies, enjoyed a memorable homecoming Friday night.

In his first game since returning from Abbotsford of the American Hockey League, Armstrong scored with 33.1 seconds remaining to lift the Grizzlies to a 3-2 victory over Colorado.

Armstrong delighted a season-high crowd of 6,632 at the Maverik Center when he took a perfect pass from Matt Reber in the slot and beat Eagles goalie Andrew Penner with a low wrist shot.

"Reber, on the right side, had a lot of speed coming in and then slowed up," Armstrong said. "I think that's what opened the ice up for me.

"He laid it out there nice, too. Sometimes guys throw hard passes and you can't control it. But he laid a soft pass in there so I could one-time it."

Amstrong's goal capped a furious comeback by the Grizzlies, who fell behind 2-1 when Colorado's Jack Combs scored a power play goal with only 6:28 remaining.

Utah tied it on Bryan Cameron's power play goal at 15:53 of the third period, however, before Armstrong scored the game-winner.

After being sent back to Utah, Armstrong admitted he "wasn't prepared mentally like I should have been. It took me a period to start playing the hockey that I love and I'm used to — being creative, working hard and making plays."

The win ended the Grizzlies' season-high eight-game homestand. Despite an outbreak of injuries and call-ups, they went 4-4.

"Not all bad," said Utah coach Kevin Colley. "It's a growing period for a lot of guys. But they have competed and they have battled for one another. That's a good sign."

After the game, the Grizzlies boarded a bus for an eight-hour ride to Colorado for Saturday night's rematch with the Eagles.

The win "makes it a lot easier," Colley said. " Another huge two points but, again, we can't be waiting until the third period for the intensity we need." —

Highlights

R John Armstrong's goal with only 33.1 seconds remaining gives Utah a 3-2 ECHL victory over Colorado.

• Utah scores two goals in the final 4:07 to come from behind and end a season-long eight-game home stand with a win.