The Idaho Steelheads, behind two goals by Bryce Van Brabant and goalie Landon Bow's 27 saves, denied the Grizzlies' comeback bid as Utah lost consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 17 as Idaho escaped with a 3-2 shootout win on Saturday night at the Maverik Center in ECHL action.
Things were looking bleak for the Grizzlies as they were unable to solve the riddle of Bow until late in the game. Down 2-0 with less than 10 minutes remaining, Michael Pelech and Jon Puskar electrified the crowd by tying the contest and sending it into overtime.
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, however, they came up unsuccessful in overtime and failed to register a successful shot attempt during the shootout.
"I thought we deserved a better fate," Grizzlies coach Tim Branham said. "But I'm happy with the way we fought back and battled and gained a point. Both goalies were outstanding and Monday [against Idaho at 1:30 p.m.] is going to be a huge test for us.
Only 21 seconds had elapsed in the third period when Van Brabant launched a slapshot that got by Utah goalie Ryan Faragher for his second goal of the night to make it 2-0.
The first came at 1:35 in the first period as Van Brabant's bouncing puck at 1:35 escaped the pads of Faragher for a 1-0 lead.
Bow was spectacular during the first 50 minutes, stopping 24 shots on net before Pelech was successful. For his part, Faragher kept the Grizzlies within striking range as Utah's netminder stopped Brian Nugent stone cold on a breakaway.
A torrid pace of play continued in the second period. Bow denied Jon Puskar with a sprawling leg save and Faragher snatched a Joe Basaraba shot out of midair.