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The Utah Grizzlies lost the opening game of their first-round ECHL playoff series with two-time defending champions the Allen Americans 4-3 on Wednesday in Allen, Texas.

The Americans' Joel Chouinard scored a power-play goal with 3:23 left in the game for the game-winner.

The Grizzlies' Erik Higby scored two goals in a 36-second span of the first period, and C.J. Eick knocked in a rebound on a Jon Puskar shot as Utah led 3-1 7:17 into the second.

Allen got one back it up 27 seconds later and tied it midway through the third. —

ECHL playoffs

Allen 1, Utah 0

Game 1 • Americans 4, Grizzlies 3

Game 2 • Friday, Utah at Allen: 6 p.m. MDT

Game 3 • April 19, Allen at Utah: 7 p.m.

Game 4 • April 21, Allen at Utah: 7 p.m.

*Game 5 • April 22, Allen at Utah: 7 p.m.

*Game 6 • April 24, Utah at Allen: 6 p.m. MDT

*Game 7 • April 25, Utah at Allen: 6 p.m. MDT

*If necessary