Don't be fooled by Alaska Aces' 9-5 loss at Utah on Friday night -- they got thumped worse than that.
Utah scored the game's first eight goals in the opening 33 minutes, then cruised to the finish even as the Aces scored all their goals in the last 21 minutes.
Utah received four goals and an assist by Garett Bembridge. Also scoring for the Grizzlies were former Aces and UAA wingers Justin Bourne and Justin Johnson.
The Aces' newest goalie, Mike Brown, lasted just 21 minutes in his debut, surrendering four goals. Only the last was a bad goal; the other three were aided greatly by porous defense in front of him.
Matt Robinson scored two goals for the Aces, who lost their fourth straight game. Also notching goals were Bo Cheesman, Josh Soares and Vladimir Novak.
The three-game series in West Valley City wraps on Saturday night at 5:05 AST.
By DOYLE WOODY
Anchorage Daily News
Alaska Dispatch Publishing