VICTORIA, British Columbia — The Utah Grizzlies defeated Victoria 4-3 Saturday night to take two of three games in the weekend series. Captain Ryan Kinasewich had three assists in the game, while linemate Dennis Packard chipped in one goal and two assists.
Utah took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a power-play goal from James Sanford at 10:27 after killing Victoria's first two power-plays.
In the second, the two teams traded goals with the Salmon Kings tying the game at one 12:06 into the second period. Utah responded just 1:31 later taking their lead back with a goal from Packard assisted by Kinasewich.
The Salmon Kings tied the game again, this time at two on a power-play goal, 2:42 into the third period before the Grizzlies responded with two more goals. Tom May got his first professional goal at 4:20 to make it 3-2, then Packard centered Tim Verbeek skating in to make the score 4-2. Victoria added a power-play goal in the final minute but was unable to get the equalizer and the Grizzlies held on.
Utah outshot Victoria 39-34 in the game as Mike Mole (2-2) earned his second win of the year stopping 31 of 34 Victoria shots.
Late Friday, Evan Kotsopoulos scored two goals for Utah while goaltender Mike Mole stopped 30 of 32 as the Grizzlies won, 3-2.