SALT LAKE CITY- The Utah Hockey Club wrapped up its longest home stand of the year on Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets. After taking on their division rivals at Delta Center, Utah will head on the road for three in a row.
Winnipeg entered the night not only leading the Central Division but also the National Hockey League in points, and though catching the Jets in the standings may be out of reach for Utah, a win against a division opponent is important in a playoff push.
The game started slow offensively with both goal tenders putting on spectacular performances in the first period. The Jets and Hockey Club put a combined 21 shots on goal and Hellebuyck and Ingram didn’t let a single one in.
The first stretch of the second period was much of the same. More than 15 minutes passed and the two teams were still scoreless, but things changed when a bloody Clayton Keller reentered the game just minutes after taking a puck to the face.
in his first shift back after receiving treatment, he did some dirty work down low, screening Hellebuyck and opening a lane for Olli Maatta to score his first goal in a Utah sweater.
The game was now 1-0, and Utah owned all the momentum. With a newfound charge, Logan Cooley extended the lead, sending a wrist shot past Hellebuyck on a breakaway. Now, in just four minutes, the game went from a scoreless tie to a two-goal advantage for Utah.
Winnipeg came out firing in the third period, but their over-commitment caused some self-inflicted errors as both Barrett Hayton and Matias Maccelli scored off blue-line turnovers from the Jets.
Winnipeg made things interesting with two goals in the middle section of the third period to close the gap, but Clayton Keller put the game out of reach in the dying second of the game with an empty net goal, giving the Utah Hockey Club the 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.
Statement win on home ice! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KA9eA1kf4U
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Copying Kesselring’s celly 😂 pic.twitter.com/KBRvVFziR8
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 20, 2025
Last of the 7 game home stand.
No Sergachev this morning (day-to-day) but Bortuzzo is on the ice in a regular jersey. pic.twitter.com/4B2vGAV6qi
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 20, 2025
Connor Ingram is the first goaltender off the ice.
That indicates he’ll start against Winnipeg tonight.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 20, 2025
Per Tourigny,
No lineup changes.
No Sergachev.
Bortuzzo is getting closer but still not ready yet.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 20, 2025
Connor Hellebuyck was the first goaltender off the ice for the Jets.
That means he should be the starter tonight against Utah.
Tall task to beat Hellebuyck this year as he boasts a .929 SV% and 1.97 GAA.#UtahHC #gojetsgo
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 20, 2025
Who ya got? 🏈 pic.twitter.com/BRODh9o2oD
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 20, 2025
Lookin’ good, fellas 😎 pic.twitter.com/Kfe5uNARo6
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Best in the West in town.
Going to take a special performance to get it done. pic.twitter.com/nseJiQOeWp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Go time. #UtahHC | @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/6FkooGAPBR
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Monday night hockey. pic.twitter.com/nHsijRLY5X
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Go time. #UtahHC | @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/6FkooGAPBR
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Nearing the midway point of the first period.
Not a ton of offense so far as the teams have combined for only 5 shots.
However, Utah has more energy and have been aggressive on the forecheck.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Heck of a pass from Valimaki on the point across-ice to Kerfoot near the goal line for a one-timer.
Shot doesn't go but that was great vision and an amazing pass.
Game remains locked 0-0 with 3:02 to go in the first.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Ingram has been great during this first period.
He's been quick on several recoveries and reacted swiftly to make a few big saves.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
WOW.
UNREAL SAVE from Ingram.
Stops a breakaway, puck goes behind the net, and then he stuffs the wrap around attempt with his skate.
Elite stop.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Great initial save on the breakaway and then I don’t even know how he kept that wrap around out.
Simply brilliant.pic.twitter.com/YqFpNjmfjl
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Utah and Winnipeg remain tied 0-0 after the first period.
Despite a slow start, both teams really picked up the intensity with great chances on each side.
Brilliance from Connor Ingram to keep out a few Grade A chances.
SOG
Utah 10
Winnipeg 11— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Through the first 2️⃣0️⃣. pic.twitter.com/ZklZeJ5XXG
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Keller just took a puck to the face.
He immediately took his helmet off and headed straight to the locker room.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Stoppage of play after Kerfoot collided with Vilardi.
Vilaradi stayed down for a minute, but he just made his way back to the bench.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Winnipeg back to full strength.
Decent PP with a few chances but nothing overly dangerous.
Game remains tied. https://t.co/IiFA0l1zKO
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Still no Keller.
Stay tuned. https://t.co/ztu291ZZMl
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Clayton Keller has returned to the ice.
Good amount of swelling and blood above his eye but he's out there.
Warrior.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
I don't know if Keller can even fully see straight with how swollen his eyebrow is and yet he put the puck in the back of the net.
Thats a hockey player. Utah has a real one wearing the "C." https://t.co/ig3dm5TNQA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
The kid is so beyond talented.
Hellebuyck knew he was beaten before the shot left the tape.
What a stretch from Cooley and Keller. https://t.co/dR1vhyt8sT
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
How we doing #UtahHC fans???
Your captain scored after taking a puck to the face and then Cooley fooled the best goaltender in the league to extend the lead.
Utah up 2-0 after 2.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
The NHL has officially credited Olli Maatta with the goal instead of Keller.
I think even Maatta would want Keller to have it.
I'm suspect…
Still, unreal performance from the Captain.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
GOOD GRAVY.
That's why he wears the "C."
Just an absolutely fierce competitor. https://t.co/pBrt9WuwY5
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Feeling good heading into the third. pic.twitter.com/TEIaRsd4ye
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
BARRETT HAYTON SCORES AND UTAH LEADS 3-0.
Hellebuyck's season average is less than 2 goals a game…Utah has posted 3 on the best goalie in hockey.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
The effort from Doan here is amazing.
He's doing exactly what he's been asked and it's paying off. https://t.co/tGVdhHAuJc
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
MACCELLI SCORES AND ITS 4-0 UTAH IN SALT LAKE CITY!!!!!!
What a play by the second line and remarkable unselfishness from Josh Doan to setup Maccelli.
2 assists for Doan tonight.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Beautiful play.
Another fantastic setup from Doan. Definition of hustle. https://t.co/qrZxs70sx7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Jets finally score.
Just barely trickled in beneath Ingram.
4-1 Utah with 11:28 left in the contest.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Jets again.
4-2 Utah with 8:12 remaining.
Winnipeg isn't going away.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
KELLER SCORES ON THE OPEN NET AND UTAH LEADS 5-2!!!
That should do it in Salt Lake City.
This may be Utah's best performance of the season.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
🚨 Empty netter for Kells!!! 5-2 Utah! pic.twitter.com/u9f2leUcpe
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
Utah just beat the best team in the west and put 4 on the best goaltender in hockey.
Complete performance. Big win.
Standing ovation from Delta Center.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Statement win on home ice! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/KA9eA1kf4U
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
