SALT LAKE CITY – In a desperate battle between two teams vying for a playoff spot, the Utah Hockey Club refused to quit as they dug their heels in and sent the Calgary Flames packing with another loss. Despite needing a miracle at this point to punch their ticket to the postseason, Utah simply wanted it more than their opponent as they clawed their way to a big win on home ice.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 3-1 victory over the Flames.
After bringing in faceoff specialist and 2024 Stanley Cup Champion Kevin Stenlund this past offseason, General Manager Bill Armstrong has gotten more than his money’s worth as the fourth line center has blossomed into a productive asset offensively.
Originally brought in to add experienced depth, dominate the circle and help on the PK, Stenlund has been more than a bargain for the Utah Hockey Club.
In addition to his 58.9 percent faceoff percentage (team-high), Stenlund recently reached a new career high (12) with his first period goal against the Calgary Flames.
What a no-look pass from Kerfoot here and a gorgeous one-timer from Stenlund.
That’s 3 assists for Kerfoot over the last 2 games. https://t.co/b5PtVHSuCw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 2, 2025
Following a gorgeous no-look pass from Alexander Kerfoot, Stenlund absolutely buried a one-timer top shelf.
Marking his 12th goal of the season, Stenlund now has more goals than Lawson Crouse, Matias Maccelli, Alexander Kerfoot and Michael Carcone.
Not exactly something that was expected when Stenlund signed the contract last summer but welcomed production, nonetheless.
As for the fourth line, they continued their recent stellar play as they’ve accounted for 5 points over the last 2 games.
Primarily fueled by Alexander Kerfoot, the seven-year vet has been a maestro as he’s registered three assists in short order.
To get that kind of production from a fourth line center and your bottom line in general is significant.
Not only has Stenlund surpassed expectations, but he’s helped Utah’s fourth line make a sizable impact all season.
While the matchup with Calgary may have been his 18th straight start between the pipes for the Utah Hockey Club, goaltender Karel Vejmelka was completely unphased and offered one of his best performances of the season on Tuesday night.
With 32 saves on 33 shots, Vejmelka consistently tracked the puck well, was quick to react and led his club to victory with a few bail out saves.
On one particular sequence in the third, Vejmelka made a stellar pad save on a shot in close and then proceeded to somehow make another clutch stop with a Calgary forward right on his doorstep and the net wide open.
Remarkably, Vejmelka kept the puck out by making contact with his skate in a dire situation to keep Utah ahead late in the game.
Absolutely unreal saves by Karel Vejmelka.
Two kick saves in close, and I genuinely don’t know how he kept that second one out.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 2, 2025
While the coaching staff has made sure to take care of their goaltender during an incredibly long stretch, the fact that he’s looked so fresh most nights and remained reliable between the pipes is a testament to his commitment to keep pushing.
“To get us in the playoffs. It’s easy. Just play for the team. Play for each other,” Vejmelka said regarding his motivation after 18 straight starts.
“Just help the guys in front of me a little bit, sometimes, if they need it. Sometimes they’ll help me.”
Karel Vejmelka’s motivation during 18 straight starts: “To get us in the playoffs. It’s easy. Just play for the team. Play for each other.”
“Just help the guys in front of me a little bit, sometimes, if they need it. Sometimes they’ll help me.”#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/kbmLawhotS
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 2, 2025
Like it or not, what Vejmelka has done for the Utah Hockey Club since late February is remarkable.
18 straight games between the pipes, 10 wins, countless big saves and all with a willing smile to suit up the next night.
Two desperate teams in pursuit of a playoff spot took the ice at Delta Center on Tuesday night but only one wanted it more than the other.
That was the Utah Hockey Club.
Regardless of their less than one percent chance to make the post season, Utah has ignored all the potential math and simply played to win.
“That’s the point. We will never quit. That’s what you want to raise. That’s what you want to be as a team. A team that never quits,” Andre Tourigny said.
“There’s no quitting in that room or in those players.”
As Coach pointed out, this group has simply been unwilling to wave the white flag despite requiring a miracle to play more than 82 games in their inaugural season.
Against the Flames, they embraced the fight by battling for 60 minutes, killing off two critical Calgary power plays, dominating the faceoff circle (63 percent), blocking shots (17) and matching a physical team nearly hit for hit (33-28).
“Obviously, this is a playoff game for both teams,” Barrett Hayton said.
“You knew it was gonna be a war till the end. Their last seven games have been unreal… a lot of comeback wins in that, so we knew we had to have that urgency the whole time and stick with it.”
That’s the type of mindset that builds championship organizations.
By embracing the growing pains, learning from every moment and battling to the bitter end.
So, while it’s still incredibly unlikely that Utah will manage to punch their ticket to the postseason, there’s no doubting their effort as they refuse to give up.
The Utah Hockey Club will now host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
