Utah got power play goals from Peter Metcalf, Keith Ballard and Kiel McLeod to go with a 23-save performance by Jean-Marc Pelletier in a 3-0 win over Edmonton in both teams’ preseason opener on Friday in Boise, Idaho. McLeod also picked up an assist and Jeff Taffe recorded two helpers for the Grizzlies, who are beginning a new affiliation with the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Morrison (13 saves) and Jeff Deslauriers (16 saves) shared the load in net for the Road Runners. The teams meet again in Boise on Saturday. In other preseason action Friday:
Scottie Upshall scored twice as Milwaukee (2-0-0-0) posted a 3-1 win over Grand Rapids (0-2-0-0)… Marius Holtet‘s goal early in the third period lifted Houston (2-1-0-0) over San Antonio (1-2-0-0), 3-2… Jesse Schultz and Jason King scored and Wade Flaherty made 31 saves for Manitoba (1-0-0-0) in a 2-0 victory over Hamilton (1-3-0-0)… Norm Milley and Nathan Paetsch had a goal and two assists each as Rochester (3-0-0-0) defeated St. John’s (0-2-0-0), 6-2… Steve Valiquette made 25 saves to help Hartford (2-0-0-0) to a 3-1 win over Springfield (0-1-1-0)… Brandon Bochenski recorded two goals and an assist and Binghamton (2-2-0-0) scored four special-teams goals (3 PP, 1 SH) to knock off Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (3-1-0-0), 6-4… Maxime Ouellet made 38 saves for Portland (4-0-0-0) in a 3-2 win over Providence (0-2-0-0)… Jason Bacashihua stopped 22 shots as Worcester (2-0-1-1) beat Albany (2-2-0-0), 5-2… Mike Zigomanis scored twice and Brent Krahn made 39 saves as Lowell (2-2-0-0) blanked Manchester (0-2-0-1), 3-0… Matt Ellison recorded a goal and an assist to help Norfolk (1-0-0-0) to a 4-1 win over Philadelphia (0-2-0-1).
