Grizzlies: Utah loses Game 5, eliminated from playoffs

It was the Riley Gill show Saturday night at the Maverik Center. The Utah Grizzlies fired 30 shots at the Allen Americans' goaltender, and none got past him.

Led by Joel Chouinard's two goals, the Americans cruised to a 4-0 victory, ending the Grizzlies' season, winning the best-of-seven series 4-1.

The two-time defending champion Americans took the next step toward history as they look to reach the ECHL finals for a record third consecutive season, which has never been done.

"There's a reason why they've won so many championships: He's lights out in the net," Grizzlies coach Tim Branham said of Gill. "We've had a really hard time scoring these last two games, and they have guys who know how to put the puck in the back of the net. The effort was there for us tonight, just not the results. Our hats are off to them."

For the fourth game in a row, the Americans dominated the third period.

The Grizzlies were within striking distance until Wade Mac-Leod's slapshot trickled through the pads of Utah goalie Kevin Boyle for a 3-0 advantage. Chouinard would provide extra insurance, scoring his second of the night on a wrist shot to complete the scoring.

The Americans outscored the Grizzlies 13-0 in the third period overall in the series.

In the first period, the third time was the charm for the Americans as Boyle made a pair of saves, but couldn't stop Travis Brown's slapshot as Allen took a 1-0 lead. It appeared the Grizzlies would escape the first period without further damage, but Chouinard's slapshot with 3.6 seconds left was a deflating blow for Utah as Allen claimed a 2-0 lead.

The Grizzlies did a lot of things right in the second period except score. Drawing three power plays in the frame, Utah had one shot clank off the crossbar.

"Their best players played their best and ours didn't and at the end of the day when that happens, you're probably going to lose the series," Utah's Erik Bradford said. —

ECHL playoffs

Allen 4, Utah 1

Game 1 • Allen 4, Utah 3

Game 2 • Utah 4, Allen 1

Game 3 • Allen 4, Utah 2

Game 4 • Allen 5, Utah 1

Game 5 • Allen 4, Utah 0