The Utah Grizzlies (19-16-4-2) defeated the Bakersfield Condors, 2-1, in overtime Saturday night at Maverik Center before 7,337 fans.
A total of $16,075 was raised in the post game jersey auction of the Grizzlies Guns N Hoses specialty uniforms.
Michael Pelech scored the game-winning goal 1:41 into overtime from Mathieu Aubin and Jacob Johnston to give Utah the win. The goal was Pelech’s second of the night and team-leading 21st of the year.
“It wasn’t just 7-7 on the penalty-kill, it was a five-on-three, a four-on-three, a five-minute major. It was absolutely crazy what we battled through and overcame and found a way to win the game,” Grizzlies head coach and General Manager Tim Branham said.
Igor Bobkov stopped 25-of-26 shots, including three on the Utah penalty-kill in the final 4:33 of the contest to preserve the tie. The start was Bobkov’s first for Utah since Dec. 31, as he just rejoined the Grizzlies following the all-star break after being reassigned by the Anaheim Ducks from Norfolk.
“Their goalie was great. I thought Bobkov played great as well,” Branham said. “I thought we generated enough opportunities to win the game in regulation, we just have to find a way to put the puck in the back of the net.”
Utah went 7-7 on the penalty-kill, including 4-4 in the first period in which it killed 1:41 shorthanded five-on-three. The Grizzlies started the second period with a 1:54 four-on-three shorthanded situation to keep the game scoreless.
Pelech broke the scoreless tie 37:07 into the contest as he hammered in a loose puck as Aubin led a two-on-one.
The Condors tied the game with 11 seconds left in the second period.
The Grizzlies had to kill 3:37 of a major penalty to force overtime. The Grizzlies allowed only four power-play shots all night.
The Grizzlies are next in action Friday in Bakersfield at 8 p.m.