Point Earned

Utah Outliers 3, Rock Springs Grizzlies 4 (OT)
Friday, October 24 – Rock Springs, WY

The Utah Outliers were back in action Friday night as they hit the road to face off against the Rock Springs Grizzlies in what turned out to be a hard-fought and emotional battle. Despite showing strong resilience and clawing their way back from an early deficit, the Outliers came up just short, falling 4–3 in overtime but still managing to pick up a valuable point in the standings.

The opening period was a sluggish one for the Outliers. After getting off the bus for a travel day, the team came out flat and struggled to match the Grizzlies’ early energy. Rock Springs dictated the pace from the drop of the puck, using their speed and physicality to hem Utah in its own zone. The Grizzlies opened the scoring midway through the first period on the power play when they moved the puck crisply around the perimeter and set up a point shot that beat Outliers goaltender Max Varner high to the glove side.

Moments later, Rock Springs doubled their lead after a costly Utah turnover in the defensive zone. A scramble in front of the net saw the puck pop loose to a Grizzlies forward, who buried it into the open cage for a 2–0 advantage. Utah struggled to find rhythm through the neutral zone and spent much of the first period defending rather than attacking, heading into the intermission looking to regroup.

The second period saw a noticeable shift in Utah’s play. The Outliers came out with far more energy, tightening their defensive structure and starting to control possession. Led by the strong offensive effort of forwards Carson Young and Anton Sollin, Utah began generating sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The team’s speed and puck movement began to wear down the Grizzlies, forcing their goalie to make several key saves.

Utah’s best chances continued to be thwarted away, and despite outshooting the Grizzlies 14–6 in the second period, the Outliers couldn’t solve the opposing netminder and went to the locker room still searching for their first goal.

In the third period, Utah’s persistence finally paid off. Just over two minutes in, the Outliers were awarded a power play, and they capitalized when defenseman Jesse Ivanovic walked down from the blue line and ripped a perfectly placed shot into the top corner to cut the deficit to 2–1. The goal gave Utah new life, but its momentum was short-lived. A few shifts later, an errant pass in the Outliers’ zone was intercepted by a Rock Springs player, who quickly fired it past Varner to restore the Grizzlies’ two-goal cushion at 3–1.

Rather than deflating, Utah used the setback as fuel. The line of Sagadiev–Ostbo–Sollin sparked the comeback midway through the period. Magzhan Sagadiev carried the puck through the neutral zone with speed, took a feed from Ostbo, and fired a laser past the Rock Springs goaltender to make it 3–2. The Outliers’ bench sensed a comeback was within reach.

With time winding down, Utah continued to apply relentless pressure. Their hard work paid off once again with just under two minutes left in regulation. On the power play, Carson Young threaded a cross-crease pass that deflected to Anton Sollin, who pounced on the loose puck in front and slammed it home in the crease to tie the game 3–3. The late equalizer sent the contest into overtime and showcased Utah’s resilience and never-quit attitude.

In the extra frame, both teams traded scoring chances, but a defensive zone turnover by the Outliers proved costly. The Grizzlies won a board battle and cycled the puck into the high slot, where a Rock Springs forward buried the game-winner to secure a 4–3 victory. 

After the game, Outliers head coach Paul Taylor shared his disappointment after a tough loss. 

“Our slow start cost us tonight — we looked slow and disconnected. I did like how we responded in the second and third period as the guys showed character and battled to the end. We still have to clean up some details in our defensive play, and we just can't afford to give our opponents those early goals in the first period. We will get back to practice and work to build our game.”

The Outliers will prepare for their next matchup, hosting the Idaho Falls Spud Kings on Friday, October 31, at 2:30 PM at the Maverik Center in West Valley. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team or watch live on blackbearsports.tv.