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The Utah Grizzlies garnered a much needed split in their best-of-seven series against the Colorado Eagles in Loveland, Colo. Now, they return home for three straight games.

The Grizzlies host the Eagles Thursday in Game 3, then again Saturday and Sunday at the Maverik Center.

In fact, Utah was one goal away from taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the series before Darryl Bootland 2:31 into the third overtime. The contest proved to be the second longest in Utah's history at 102:31 and was five minutes away from being the longest game played.

Still, even with the split, the Grizzlies have regained home ice advantage in the series. And they now return to a building where they won 23 games this season, good enough for the fourth best home record in the ECHL.

Goaltending has been one of Utah's biggest assets this season and head coach Tim Branham has a decision to make in regards to who will start game 3: Mark Owuya or Ryan Faragher.

Owuya got the start in both contests in Colorado but was pulled at 13:03 into the first period of Game 2 after having allowed three goals on five shots. Faragher stopped 33 of 35 shots in relief of Owuya and breathed new life into the club before Bootland ended things.

Both netminders have had a lot of success this season. Faragher was 10th in the ECHL in wins this season with a sparkling 2.24 goals against average and Sunday night marked his postseason debut. Owuya has a proven track record of playoff success, having posted a remarkable .930 save percentage and 1.91 goals against average, so Utah figures to be in capable hands regardless of who Branham decides will start in Game 3.

Scoring hasn't been a problem for Utah as the Grizzlies mustered a total of six goals in the two contests in Loveland. Bryan Moore has arguably been the Grizzlies MVP through the first two games, scoring to give the Grizzlies their first lead in game one. The forward also assisted on what proved to be the game winning goal as his pass allowed Matt Berry to blister the net on a power play 7:58 into the second period.

The Grizzlies have shown plenty of heart and resiliency throughout the season, and they have still got it if their rally from a 3-1 deficit to push Game 2 into triple overtime is any indication. Utah now has a chance to close out the series at home, though a longer series could be in the offing, based on the first two games. —

Utah Grizzlies vs. Colorado Eagles

The first-round ECHL playoffs series between Utah and Colorado:

Game 1 • Utah 3, Colorado 2

Game 2 • Colorado 5, Utah 4 (3 OTs)

Thursday • Colorado at Utah, 7 p.m.

Saturday • Colorado at Utah, 7 p.m.

Sunday • Colorado at Utah, 4 p.m.

x-April 26 • Utah at Colorado

x-April 27 • Utah at Colorado

x-if necessary