The Utah Grizzlies skated to a 4-2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers on Friday night at the Maverik Center and reached the .500 mark for the first time in more than a month in ECHL action.
"The difference is we're winning the battles on the ice and we're getting huge contributions from everyone," Grizzlies coach Tim Branham said. "Guys are doing whatever it takes to keep the puck out of our net and that's kudos to our defensive corps. Offensively, we have a lot of talent and the guys are playing with huge amounts of confidence."
Utah seized control early and had a 4-0 lead before the game's halfway point.
Erik Bradford began the scoring with a nifty wrist shot that beat Tulsa goalkeeper Keegan Asmundson's high glove-side for a 1-0 Grizzlies lead.
The Grizzlies pounced on short-handed Oilers — who couldn't avoid the penalty box — and scored a flurry of goals. Colin Martin, Taylor Richart and Tim Daly each scored during the second period, and Tulsa replaced Asmundson early with Jay Williams.
"Everyone is working hard and having fun and it's easy when you're working for your teammates," Daly said. "We're taking it one day at a time and bringing energy to the rink and are committed to getting better every day. We're not going to let up."
Tulsa fought back in the third. Danick Paquette and Phil Brewer each scored to stop Grizzlies goalie Troy Redmann's bid for a shutout with a pair of goals.
For the 11th time in 12 games, the Grizzlies outshot their opponents — this time besting the Oilers 33-29 — and for the fourth time in five games, scored four or more goals.