ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 07: Pierre-Olivier Joseph #77 of the St. Louis Blues fights Maveric Lamoureux #10 of the Utah Hockey Club in the second period at Enterprise Center on November 7, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a lengthy second period that resulted in the ejection of 20-year-old defenseman Maveric Lamoureux following a questionable call, the Utah Hockey Club remained composed and outshot the St. Louis Blues enroute to a critical victory on the road. With nearly twice the number of shots on net, Utah was rewarded with a lucky goal from Dylan Guenther late to avoid OT and secure the win.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s big victory over the Blues.
Despite being ejected in the second period for a questionable knee-to-knee call, Maveric Lamoureux dropped the gloves for the first time in his NHL career and held his own.
Another look at the hit that Lamoureux was ejected for and the fight.
20-year-old is fierce when he drops the gloves. What a scrap. https://t.co/XEbvWnz8Nd
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
First off, in terms of the hit that sent Lamoureux to the locker room prematurely, it’s understandable as to why it was called but still seems a bit harsh.
The letter of the law states, “Kneeing is the act of a player leading with or extending their knee outwards for the purpose of making contact, or attempting to do so, with the opponent.”
Is there knee-to-knee contact? Absolutely. But it appears to be incidental as Lamoureux attempts to play the puck, does not extend his knee and from the camera angle, doesn’t even appear to notice the Blues players until the last second.
Again, it’s understandable why the referees made the call but given his size, wide stance, the attempt he makes on the puck, the direction of his eyes and how quickly it happened, categorizing that as an attempt to make knee contact seems harsh.
This was a very harsh call against Lamoureux. Given his size, he’s got long legs and a wide stance. There was absolutely no malicious intent or extension of the knee here. Brutal call.
At least he won the fight. https://t.co/rf4zlMeIDn
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
Aside from the ejection, Lamoureux was challenged by Blues player Pierre-Olivier Joseph for the hit. In what turned out to be a solid scrap, Lamoureux more than held his own in his first fight.
Lamoureux’s reach is so long. Makes it really hard to land blows. He’s also incredibly tough and can clearly hold his own. Love the fearlessness to drop the gloves.#UtahHC https://t.co/1Wzv89FFAH
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
Standing 6-foot-7 and with such a long reach, Lamoureux is a force to be reckoned with when he drops the gloves. Not only is it hard for opposing players to land any blows, but the 20-year-old is also remarkably tough, strong, stays on his feet and has good form.
After another glance, it’s hard to declare a winner but still an impressive showing by the young defenseman.
If you’re going to take penalties, you’re PK has to respond and that’s exactly what the Utah Hockey Club did against St. Louis on Thursday night.
In addition to the five-minute major and 10-minute game misconduct by Lamoureux, the Utah Hockey Club committed several other penalties that placed them in some tight situations.
Midway through the first period, Utah was forced to defend against a 5-on-3 advantage for the Blues and a 5-on-4 immediately following. Throughout the man-advantage, St. Louis dominated O-zone puck possession, threw a handful of quality shots on net and had several opportunities to score.
However, Utah maintained their shape, fulfilled their individual responsibilities and did whatever it took to keep the puck out of the net.
Phenomenal PK by Utah.
Beat a 5 on 3 and a 5 on 4. Blues were relentless with O-zone possession nearly the entire time and several dangerous opportunities.
Cole did a great job defending the crease area and Stenlund saved a would-be goal by lifting a forward’s stick.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
Most the time a successful penalty kill not only requires sound strategy and positioning, but a few heroic plays by several of the skaters. Against the Blues, Utah got all of the above and remained perfect on the PK.
After struggling mightily over the last few games to put shots on net, the Utah Hockey Club clearly made it an emphasis to let the puck fly against the Blues as they outshot them 31-15.
#UtahHC is flying early on tonight. An early goal and power play opportunity has sparked some serious energy into the team thus far.
5 shots on goal and some really nice chances. Forwards look good.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
Right from the puck drop, Utah had a high level of energy and were taking shots left and right.
In addition to an early goal by Michael Kesselring that set the tone, Utah outshot the Blues in every period to maintain the pressure.
That is an absolutely absurd pass from Clayton Keller. Backhand, hits Kesslering on his glove in stride, and a #UtahHC has their fastest goal in team history. https://t.co/uOMezAb6hh
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
Nice drop pass from Cooley, great patience from Guenther, and Maccelli lets it fly. https://t.co/sPXgi8Y2ap
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
While the Blues did fight back and eventually tied the game in the third period, a continued effort to get pucks on net granted Utah with a late-game winner off a Dylan Guenther’s stick and the club picked up two massive points in their third straight road-game.
Full Story: Utah Hockey Club’s Dylan Guenther Scores Game-Winner To Beat St. Louis
“Definitely a point of emphasis. A lot of goals are scored right in the paint. More shots, more opportunities around there and it also loosens up their D so we can make plays after that,” Guenther said.
GREAT stick by Guenther to break up the pass and force an odd man rush the other way.
Definitely was trying to make a pass to Cooley but a lucky bounce puts the puck in the back of the net. https://t.co/p51SSiBtrE
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 8, 2024
It is not a guarantee that outshooting a team will result in a victory, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Against the Blues, Utah made it an emphasis to shoot more, doubled the Blues shots, picked up a nice bounce for the lead and walked out of Enterprise Arena with a win.
“We needed that one. We don’t want to be a team that loses a few in a row and win. We’ve got try to find some consistency here, so it was good to get that going” Michael Kesselring said.
The Utah Hockey Club will now conclude their four-game road trip against the Nashville Predators on Saturday 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.
