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Grizzlies fall apart in third period, lose 8-3 to Manchester

The Utah Grizzlies had clawed their way back to .500 after losing the first four games of the season before a terrible third period led to an 8-3 loss to the Manchester Monarchs on Friday night at the Maverik Center.

With the game tied at 3, five different Monarchs scored in the final 20 minutes of the game, undoing the work Utah had put in to rally from an early 2-0 deficit in the first period.

Turning Point • A high sticking penalty against Grizzlies’ forward Greger Hanson proved disastrous early in the third period. Utah failed to clear a puck out of its zone and it was collected by Monarchs forward Joel Lowry, who spun and scored for a 4-3 lead, which opened the flood gates.

First Star • On a night in which his club erupted for eight goals, Zac Lynch was the only Manchester player with multiple scores. Lynch began the scoring for the night and added his second goal with time dwindling in the third.

Second Star • Manchester goalie Evan Cowley was at his best with the game in the balance, shutting out Utah in the third period and stopping 39 overall.

Third Star • Already facing a 2-0 deficit with five minutes elapsed in the game, Grizzlies defenseman Cliff Watson scored twice in the first period to tie the game up and give Utah a chance.

Quoteworthy • “They wanted it more than us and that’s what it came down to,” Grizzlies coach Tim Branham said. “All we had to do is win one period to win the game and to come out with that lack of effort is unacceptable.”

What’s next • The final game of the series is at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Maverik Center.