Utah Grizzlies Defeat Wichita Thunder 6-3

The Grizzlies win on the road against the Thunder in ECHL action.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:03pm

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The Utah Grizzlies defeated the Wichita Thunder 6-3 in an ECHL hockey game played on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Michael Colella, Evan Friesen, Aiden Hansen-Bukata, Cy Leclerc, Nicholas Niemo, and Ryan Rosborough scored for the Grizzlies, while Matt Crasa, Jay Dickman, and Jake Wahlin tallied for the Thunder.

Why it matters

This victory keeps the Grizzlies in the hunt for a playoff spot in the ECHL's Mountain Division, while the Thunder continue to struggle near the bottom of the standings.

The details

The Grizzlies jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first period and never looked back, adding three more goals in the second and third periods to secure the win. Utah's offense was firing on all cylinders, with six different players finding the back of the net.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The teams will face off again on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 8:10 p.m. CST.

The players

Utah Grizzlies

An ECHL hockey team based in West Valley City, Utah.

Wichita Thunder

An ECHL hockey team based in Wichita, Kansas.

Michael Colella

A forward for the Utah Grizzlies who scored a goal in the game.

Evan Friesen

A forward for the Utah Grizzlies who scored a goal in the game.

Aiden Hansen-Bukata

A forward for the Utah Grizzlies who scored a goal in the game.

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What’s next

The teams will face off again on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 8:10 p.m. CST.

The takeaway

The Utah Grizzlies' offensive outburst and solid defensive performance allowed them to pick up a crucial road win against the Wichita Thunder, keeping their playoff hopes alive in the ECHL's Mountain Division.