After a prolonged scoring slump, Clayton Crouse put together a remarkable performance on January 21, 2023, breaking Utah Grizzlies' six-game losing streak and leading the team to a convincing 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames' affiliate, the Stockton Heat.
Crouse, a 25-year-old forward, had been held scoreless in his previous seven games. However, against Stockton, he erupted with a pair of goals and two assists, including the game-winning tally.
Crouse's first goal came in the opening period on a rebound from a shot by Cole Ully. He then found the back of the net again in the second period, ripping a wrist shot past Stockton goalie Dustin Wolf.
Crouse's performance was a key factor in Utah's victory, as it broke a scoring drought that had seen the Grizzlies score just once in their previous three games.
In addition to Crouse's heroics, several other Grizzlies players made significant contributions.
- Cole Ully: Two assists
- Shane Bowers: One goal
- Tye McGinn: One goal, one assist
- Matt Berry: 19 saves (89.5% save percentage)
Crouse's performance has been praised by both coaches and teammates:
"He's been working hard in practice, and it showed tonight," said Utah coach Tim Brannan. "He's a big part of our team, and we need him to play like that every night."
"He's a great player," said Grizzlies forward David Gust. "He can do it all. He can score, pass, and play defense. He's a huge asset to our team."
The victory was a much-needed boost for Utah, which had fallen to last place in the Western Conference.
"It's a big win for us," said Brannan. "We needed to get back on track, and we did that tonight."
Clayton Crouse's remarkable performance against the Stockton Heat was a testament to his skill and determination. His two goals and two assists led the Utah Grizzlies to a 5-2 victory, breaking their six-game losing streak and providing a much-needed boost.
The victory showed that Crouse is a key player for the Grizzlies, and that he has the potential to be a major contributor to the team's success.