WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (Ticker) -- Rick Tabaracci stopped 25 of 26 shots as the Utah Grizzlies captured the first game of their playoff series with the Houston Aeros with a 2-1 victory. Tabaracci, who lost in a shootout in his only appearance versus Houston during the regular season, carried a shutout bid until the third period. Richard Park netted the opening goal 1:48 into the contest for Utah. John Purves, the Grizzlies' leading goal scorer during the regular season with 36, added a shorthanded tally 3:06 into the middle stanza. Marty Wilford netted the Aeros' lone goal 9:32 into the final period. Frederic Chabot, who led all goaltenders with 36 wins in the regular season, surrendered a pair of goals on 19 shots for the loss.