HARTFORD, Conn. — The Utah Grizzlies (10-13-2-2) played their best road game of the season Saturday, getting three-point nights from David Oliver (three assists) and Rob Valicevic (one goal, two assists) and 37 saves from Mike Smith in a 4-2 win over the Hartford Wolf Pack (14-7-4-1).
Neither team could find the back of the net in the first as Hartford outshot Utah 12-4. The Grizzlies began the second period shorthanded but came through with two quality chances while a man down. Valicevic had a breakaway that hit the post, but a few seconds later Oliver pushed the puck to Steve Gainey who scored his second and the team's league-leading sixth shorthanded goal of the season. It was Gainey's fifth goal of the season. Utah later scored on a power play as Justin Cox cleaned up a rebound for a goal. Chad Wiseman got the Wolf Pack on the board later in the period, narrowing Utah's lead to 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Hartford tied the score on a turnover by Smith as Ken Gernander re-directed a shot by Benoit Dusablon past Smith. Utah responded with another power play goal by Dylan Gyori. Valicevic added an empty-net goal with another assist by Oliver.
Smith finished the night with 37 saves, improving his record to 7-6-0.
Utah concludes its four-game road trip this afternoon in Bridgeport. Face-off is scheduled for 2:05 p.m. (MST).