Lucas Mann scored his second goal of the year, but the Grit offense was stymied by Amarillo in a 3-1 defeat at the Budwesier Bull Pen on Friday night.Β
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The Wranglers got the scoring started in the first period after the home side picked up the first power play of the night after an unsportsmanlike conduct minor to Sheldon Rioux. A tipped shot from the blue line found the stick of Carl Jacobsen whose redirection beat Erickson to give Amarillo the lead, 1-0, with 13:22 to play in the first period. Despite the Grit controlling the shot margin, 12-7, Colorado’s best opportunity came in the final seconds of the first period. Kennan Reyelts had two shots right in front of Zolin who kicked both aside to take the 1-0 lead into the intermission.Β
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The Wrangler power play converted for the second time in as many attempts early in the second period. Lucca Ori got hit with a slashing penalty and Amarillo forward Trace Day snapped a wrister past Erickson and double the advantage, 2-0, with 18:45 left in the period. Special teams continued to factor in as the Grit cashed in on their first power play. With 13:22 left in the period, Lucas Mann walked into the low slot on the right wing and buried a snap shot past Amarillo goaltender Charlie Zolin to get Colorado on the board, 2-1. The Grit continued to pepper Zolin – Braden Junker whipped a shot on goal that dislodged the goaltender’s mask with 2:11 to play in the period. The one-goal deficit remained headed into the second intermission.
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The Grit notched the first successful penalty kill of the night in the early minutes of the third period to keep it a one-goal game, but the Wranglers doubled their lead after getting back to full strength. Morley Phillips tipped a shot from the right point from Will Wellburn past Erickson to open the scoreline up, 3-1, with 15:11 left in regulation. The Grit power play looked to get back to work moments later and had a brief 5-on-3, but were unable to crack Zolin, who finished with 38 saves. With 2:40 to play, the Grit pulled Erickson for the extra attacker to try and get back into the game. Despite the furious effort and six more shots, the Grit were unable to close the gap. The final buzzer sounded as Colorado’s franchise record seven-game point streak came to a close in the 3-1 defeat.
