The Utah Grizzlies Suffer a Heartbreaking 6-5 Overtime Loss at Maverik Center to the Idaho Steelheads. Ty Pelton-Byce Provides Overtime Winner as Steelheads Even the Series at 2-2
West Valley City, Utah – The Utah Grizzlies fall in heartbreaking fashion as Ty Pelton-Byce scored the game-winner 3:27 into overtime as the Idaho Steelheads won 6-5 in overtime to tie the series 2-2 in the Mountain Division Semifinals best of 7 series.
The Idaho Steelheads collected their second straight overtime victory, this time a 6-5 final over the Utah Grizzlies Friday night in front of 6,258 fans at the Maverick Center to even the series at two games apiece. Idaho will take on Utah Saturday night on the road for Game 5 at 7:10 pm.
Much like Game 3, the Steelheads got a quick start as Ty Pelton- Byce gave them an early 1-0 just 49 seconds into the game. Idaho’s lead was short-lived as Grizzlies forward Kyle Betts collected a goal at 2:36 on the powerplay, with assists from Jordan Martel and Cameron Wright. Zach Tsekos added a score 4:39 in as Utah took a 2-1 lead. Cameron Wright notched a goal for the Grizzlies at 13:16 on a power play. Grizzlies had three unanswered goals until Idaho’s A.J White’s marker at 13:44 cut the Steelheads’ deficit to 3-2. Utah’s Keaton Jameson scored on a breakaway 18:09 in to make it a 4-2 game.
The second period belonged to the Steelheads, as the Grizzlies could not find the back of the net. Idaho’s Jordan Kawaguchi scored at 5:25, and A.J White got his second goal of the night at 11:19 on a power play. The game was tied 4-4 at the end of the second frame.
In the third period, Idaho regained the lead with a powerplay goal from Wade Murphy at 4:19 in. Kyle Mayhew responded with the tying goal for Utah at 8:58, Cameron Wright and Kyle Betts picked up the assists. The end of the third period was tied 5-5 as the series headed to overtime for the second straight game.
In overtime, Justin Misiak had a great look in the high slot. The shot got turned aside to the far corner and met the stick of Owen Headrick at the right point. Headrick fired a shot towards the net, where Ty Pelton-Byce deflected it home through the right circle handing the Steelheads a 6-5 overtime victory.
Utah’s Trent Miner saved 45 of 51 in the loss. Idaho’s Adam Scheel held 29 of 34.
The Grizzlies will meet with the Steelheads for Game 5 on Saturday night at 7:10 pm. Game 6 is now necessary on Monday, May 1st, at Idaho Central Arena. Tonight is make or break for Utah. Going up 3-2 and heading back to Boise for Game 6 would be huge to have the advantage of only needing one more win in Idaho. Sweeping all four up north would be a monumental task.
3 Stars
- AJ White (Idaho) – 2 goals, 1 assist.
- Wade Murphy (Idaho) – 1 goal, 1 assist.
- Jordan Kawaguchi (Idaho) – 1 goal, 1 assist.
