Jaxson Stauber Holds It Down For First Utah Hockey Shutout

LAS VEGAS – The Utah Hockey Club was dominant against the Vegas Golden Knights and much of that credit is owed to goalkeeper Jaxson Stauber.

Stauber faced 29 shots from Vegas and saved every single one in his first appearance for the club.

This is simply ridiculous.

Just an onslaught of shots from Vegas and he stands tall. Great vision, textbook movement, and elite composure. https://t.co/gO9EOM1yOw

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 1, 2024

Stauber did his job but so did the rest of the team.

With four goals in the first period and two more in the second, there was never really a doubt as Utah invaded the fortress.

Especially with Stauber standing on his head in the net.

Utah defeats Vegas 6-0 on the road!

– First shorthanded goal for the club from Kerfoot.
– First goal for Schmaltz.
– First goal for Carcone.
– First shutout in franchise history by Stauber.

WHAT. A. NIGHT.#UtahHC

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 1, 2024

In four of Utah’s 10 wins so far this season, the defense held strong and only allowed one score.

However, it took 24 games for the first shutout to happen. And it came from Stauber in his first NHL game in nearly two years.

What Can Utah Learn From Vegas Hockey Arena Production?

For 41 days during the NHL’s regular season, T-Mobile Arena transforms into a fortress for the Vegas Golden Knights. In addition to 60 minutes of elite hockey with some of the biggest stars in the league repping the gold, steel gray and black, the arena becomes an absolute spectacle of all things Vegas.

As Delta Center and the Utah Hockey Club continue to acclimate to the culture of the NHL, there are a few things they could learn from one of the best arena experiences in the league.

Yeah, ok.

Vegas is SICK. What a production. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/2div9vkCqi

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 3, 2024

Now, it’s important to recognize a few things before jumping into this.

First off, the Utah Hockey Club is only seven months old. The production team is learning every day how to improve the atmosphere and according to President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong, they are actively working on it every game.

Second, an improved atmosphere will come with time.

But between now and then, here are a few things Utah can learn from Vegas:

Embrace everything that is Utah. What makes our city and state unique? Our towering mountains, beautiful different landscapes, stunning National Parks, the greatest snow on earth and “Life Elevated.”
If the team’s name is headed the direction everyone thinks it is, fully embrace that. Create a stunning pre-game show with the mythical creature using the ice, lasers, projections in a mountain setting. Also, the “Ice Den” or “Ice Cave” would be an incredible nickname for the Delta Center.
There needs to be more engagement with the crowd. Like Vegas, there needs to be something during every stoppage. A video, a different chant, a game, or something to keep it loud. In between periods, play games with fans on the ice or get a party started. Allow youth teams to play short hockey games, lets fans race or shoot pucks the entire length of the ice for prizes.
Also, the music party during the second intermission in Vegas was a lot of fun, no reason Utah couldn’t do something similar.
While the team’s identity is somewhat on hold until they decide on a new name, they’re still things that can be done now to create a Utah identity.