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Utah Grizzlies rally for 5-4 shootout victory over Idaho Steelheads in ECHL action

The Utah Grizzlies’ starting goaltender, Kevin Carr, entered Saturday night’s contest against the Idaho Steelheads leading the ECHL in minutes played (1,353) and saves (613). But even Carr needs an occasional night off. He gave way to backup Angus Redmond, at least for the first 33 minutes of play. Four Idaho goals, however, forced Utah coach Tim Branham to pull Redmond for Carr.

Facing a 4-1 deficit, Utah rallied. Back to back goals by Mitch Jones and Jon Puskar galvanized the Grizzlies in the third period. By the time Charley Graaskamp scored his second of the night, it was anyone’s contest at 4-4 and the Maverik Center was buzzing. When Ryan Walters buried a puck past former Grizzlies goalie Ryan Faragher in a shootout, the come-from-behind Grizzlies victory was complete, 5-4.

Turning Point • Carr’s entrance in the second period seemed to light a fire within the Grizzlies. Carr refused to surrender a goal for the duration of the contest.

First STAR • Graaskamp had appeared in only 14 of the Grizzlies’ 32 games, but the forward recorded a pair of goals, beginning in the first and electrifying the crowd with his game-tying shot in the third.

Second STAR • Puskar scored his second goal in as many nights. Being paired in the Grizzlies top line of Greger Hanson and Kyle Thomas is starting to pay dividends for the veteran forward.

Third STAR • Jones buried a puck in the back of the net as the Grizzlies defenseman recorded his third goal of the season.

Quoteworthy • “This group has come back to win so many times,” Branham said. “We found a way to win and we needed it against a tough opponent.”

What’s next • Rapid City Rush at Utah Grizzlies, Friday, 7 p.m., at the Maverik Center.