ECHL: Utah Grizzlies win sixth consecutive game, close in on playoff berth

Weaving his way through traffic with time running out in overtime, Utah's Garrett Haar rifled a shot past Missouri goalie Josh Robinson to give Utah a 2-1 win as the Grizzlies increased their playoff lead for the final spot over Alaska to three points.

Haar scored both goals for Utah, which won its sixth straight game.

"It's do or die right now and we control our own destiny, and I couldn't have asked for anything better," Haar said. "We have so much skill and speed on this team that when we're playing our best, we're tough to beat."

Haar's opening goal came on a power play in the third period, connecting with a slap shot from the blue line. Missouri tied the game on a goal by Radoslov Illo to force overtime.

Kevin Boyle made 19 saves for Utah in goal.

"Boyle made some huge saves for us tonight, and I can't tell you what a great pickup Haar has been for us," Grizzlies coach Tim Branham said. "Our boys picked up right where we left off after our road trip and we have guys who know what it takes to win." —

ECHL standings

EASTERN CONFERENCE

North GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GA

Adirondack 70 39 20 7 4 89 254 217

Brampton 70 39 23 3 5 86 257 248

Reading 70 39 25 4 2 84 247 212

Manchester 70 36 23 7 4 83 256 246

Wheeling 70 33 29 8 0 74 235 232

Elmira 70 17 45 7 1 42 170 267

South GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GA

Florida 70 45 20 2 3 95 262 214

Greenville 70 39 25 5 1 84 246 244

South Carolina 70 38 28 3 1 80 220 206

Orlando 70 35 25 7 3 80 255 245

Cincinnati 70 36 29 4 1 77 195 202

Atlanta 70 26 36 6 2 60 226 273

Norfolk 70 26 39 5 0 57 209 263

Western Conference

Central GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GA

Toledo 70 49 17 2 2 102 289 189

Fort Wayne 70 43 19 6 2 94 253 207

Quad City 70 40 26 2 2 84 229 209

Kalamazoo 70 37 29 1 3 78 215 228

Tulsa 70 27 35 6 2 62 190 232

Indy 70 23 40 3 4 53 194 277

Wichita 70 20 43 6 1 47 182 273

Mountain GP W L OL SOL Pts GF GA

Allen 70 47 17 4 2 100 286 198

Colorado 70 46 19 2 3 97 260 201

Idaho 69 40 22 5 2 87 228 204

Utah 70 35 28 5 2 77 218 233

Alaska 69 32 27 3 7 74 216 224

Missouri 70 32 29 4 5 73 227 234

Rapid City 70 25 37 8 0 58 210 251

Wednesday's games

Florida 5, Orlando 1

Reading 6, Norfolk 4

South Carolina 3, Atlanta 1

Brampton 5, Wheeling 2

Toledo 6, Fort Wayne 1

Allen 7, Wichita 0

Utah 2, Missouri 1, OT

Idaho at Alaska, late