The Butler Grizzlies were undone by two second half goals in the second and final game of pool play, losing 2-0 in Daytona, Florida on Tuesday to No. 5 Salt Lake.
The Grizzlies spent most of the game on the back foot, and defended well in the first half. The Grizzlies also had chances to score against the run of play on several corners but just couldn't connect. Salt Lake controlled the possession but Kyrah Klumpp kept the Bruins away, and the two teams went into halftime the way they started, level at 0-0.
Salt Lake made their possession count in the 49th minute, via a high shot that just evaded Klumpp and sneaked in under the crossbar to give the Bruins the lead.
The Grizzlies, playing from behind for the first time in ten games, pressed for the equalizer. Yossi Villagrana had a chance to test the keeper with a shot on goal but it was saved. The Grizzlies got a couple looks from set pieces but the Bruins had an answer for every Butler question.
The Bruins put the nail in the coffin in the 82nd minute with a late goal, scored from distance and into the upper corner of the net, sending the Grizzlies to defeat for the first time in nine games.
Klumpp starred in the losing effort, saving six of the eight Bruins shots on goal in a busy night for the Grizzlies netminder. Salt Lake finished the night with 20 shots in total.
The loss means the Grizzlies will finish pool play at 1-1, and their total record will fall to 17-5-2. Butler will have to wait out tomorrow's game between Salt Lake and Iowa Western to determine whether the Grizzlies will have a spot in Friday's semifinal.
