GARREFFA LOGS FOURS POINTS IN DEBUT WIN OVER GRIZZLIES

GARREFFA LOGS FOURS POINTS IN DEBUT WIN OVER GRIZZLIES

Joe Garreffa picks up four points and Ethan Stewart’s first pro goal is a game winner in 6-5 track meet victory

WEST VALLEY CITY, UT — The Oilers topped the Grizzlies 6-5 at the Maverik Center on Saturday night.  

Duggie Lagrone gave the Oilers 1-0 lead 1:48 into the action, finishing a snap shot off a deft feed from newcomer Joe Garreffa. Garreffa followed up with a goal of his own in his debut, driving home a feed from Adam Pleskach that came from behind the net 10:55 into the first period. Mason Mannek made it 2-1 15:15 in, banking the puck off the back of Daniel Mannella on the power play. Mannek followed up 1:31 later, redirecting a left-point shot from Nathan Clurman, knotting the game 2-2.

Trey Bradley gave Utah its first lead of the game 40 seconds into the second period, tipping a blast from Luke Martin through Mannella’s five hole. Alex Gilmour tied the game 3-3 2:01 later, jumping on a Grizzlies’ mistake before slamming the puck past Peyton Jones. Jackson Leef restored the Oilers’ lead, corralling his own rebound before wristing the puck inside the catcher-side post of Jones. Austin Crossley tied the game 4-4 with a slap shot 11:36 into the second. Garreffa deposited his second goal of the game 15:43 into the second, slapping home a rebound off Jones’ mask, giving the Oilers power-play goals in five of their last six outings.

Ethan Stewart sniped Jones with three minutes remaining, bringing the Oilers ahead 6-4. The goal was Stewart’s first professional goal, and the eventual game winner. Benjamin Tardif made things interesting, scoring off a right-circle blast with 15 seconds remaining in a six-on-five scenario.