WEST VALLEY CITY — Prior to Tuesday's game with Houston, the Utah Grizzlies were on a three-game losing skid and in danger of slipping out of first place in the AHL's West Division for the first time this season.
But a quick start and strong special teams play got the Grizzlies back on track as they annihilated the Aeros 7-3.
Utah's Greg Hawgood had an interesting night. He scored two power-play goals in the first period to give the Grizzlies an early lead. Then, just five seconds into the second period, he received a match penalty for hitting an Aeros player that referee Jay Sharrers saw as an intent-to-injure infraction.
"Hawgood did what he had to do, then took the rest of the night off," said Utah center Jim Montgomery.
Grizzlies coach Don Hay said it was the second time this season that the Grizzlies had received a match penalty from Sharrers.
"I don't want to say it's a coincidence," Hay said.
As the referee and linesmen were breaking up the two teams from pushing and shoving each other near Utah's goal, Hawgood dropped an Aeros player with a punch that any boxer would have been proud of. Hawgood was retaliating for a punch that he had taken during the shoving match. Of course, the person who fought back was the one to get caught.
"I don't think Hawgood is going to try and injure someone," Hay said. "It was a situation where he was also getting (punched)."
The Aeros had a five-minute power play but couldn't capitalize as they took just three shots on goal during the span.
"It could have changed the game," Hay said.
The penalty kill seemed to take the life out of the Aeros. Montgomery and Roman Lyashenko added goals to give Utah a 4-0 lead. After Houston scored, Montgomery made the play of the night. He juked past Aeros defenseman Kevin Bolibruck on a breakaway and then froze goalie Derek Gustafson with a pump fake before blasting the puck into the net to give Utah a 5-1 lead.
Hay said the win was critical for the Grizzlies, as they will play three road games in three nights against Cincinnati (Friday) and Chicago (Saturday and Sunday).
"Coming off a win, we'll get some confidence back," he said.
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com