SALT LAKE CITY – After a deflating loss to the reigning Stanley Cup Champions earlier this week, the Utah Hockey Club claimed their first regulation win at Delta Center since November 13 on Friday night. Despite trailing to the San Jose Sharks in the first 60 seconds, Utah locked down the defensive zone and were able to grind out a must-needed 2-1 victory.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s long-awaited home win.
After spending more than two months in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, Josh Doan was recalled by the Utah Hockey Club to replace an injured Dylan Guenther.
“It’s great to come back,” Doan said.
“Getting a chance to play in the NHL is every kids dream. So, every time you get a chance you can’t take it for granted. I went down, learned a lot, & now I’m back up.”
Josh Doan on his return to the NHL:
“It’s great to come back.”
“Getting a chance to play in the NHL is every kids dream. So, every time you get a chance you can’t take it for granted. I went down, learned a lot, & now I’m back up.” pic.twitter.com/Omoabkvw4A
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 11, 2025
Making his official return against the Sharks, Doan had a solid outing in his first NHL game since October 26.
In 14 minutes on the ice with Barrett Hayton and Matias Maccelli on the second line, Doan simply stuck to his game and played with confidence.
He was aggressive on the forecheck, battled hard around the net, generated a few turnovers and took three quality shots.
Josh Doan with a nice first shift for #UtahHC
Aggressive on the forecheck and beat 2 Sharks defenders to extend a Utah possession which generated a shot for Hayton.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 11, 2025
It may not have been an overly flashy type of game, but it was effective, impactful and exactly what the coaching staff has asked him to do.
Josh Doan on his time in Tucson & returning to UHC: “A lot has changed obviously. You come out with a different perspective. You go down & work on things they talked to you about…just being comfortable with the puck…trusting myself…& getting back to the net front.”#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/7Wehb8Essp
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 10, 2025
Every NHL team needs multiple skaters who are willing to do the dirty work, fight for space in front of the net, and help apply pressure in the offensive zone.
That’s what Doan was able to bring, and his presence will only become more impactful as he continues to play in a Utah sweater.
To preface, the initial 58 seconds for the Utah Hockey Club against the Sharks was not at all ideal.
Before a minute had even come off the clock, Utah allowed a wide-open shot on goal, lost some battles in front of the net and instantly trailed San Jose 1-0.
Less than a minute into the game? Ok, Zetts! #TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/CkPqVDsOvE
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) January 11, 2025
However, the next 59 minutes of the game were some of the best that Utah has played all season defensively.
On top of Karel Vejmelka’s 18 saves on 19 shots, Utah simply refused to give up any space in the defensive zone for the remainder of the hockey game.
They had active sticks, clogged passing lanes, blocked shots and refused to allow the Sharks to play their game from behind the net.
Utah was also perfect on the PK, specifically in the final seconds of the game after Kevin Stenlund drew a four-minute high-sticking penalty.
“We attacked them with a lot of intensity, got a sticks on pucks, did not let them have time from behind the net to find their option in the slot–which is a big, big tool for them. That was one of the keys,” Head Coach Andre Tourigny said.
“The way we forecheck, the way we possessed the puck did not allow them did not allow them to have energy and speed off the rush. That was such a big key defensively.”
So, while the game did not begin in a favorable way, Utah responded with a dominant defensive performance that helped them grind out a critical win on home ice.
After surrendering a goal less than a minute into the first period on an unlucky rebound, Utah’s bad luck continued in some key moments throughout the night.
In addition to hitting the post twice in the first period, Utah also had a goal overturned in the third that erased a critical one-goal lead.
Interference confirmed. No goal.
That’s soft IMO. https://t.co/NeYvJ1qcGP
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 11, 2025
But despite the adversity, Utah kept attacking, continued to put pressure on San Jose and were eventually rewarded with a huge game-winning goal from Barrett Hayton late in the third period
BARRETT HAYTON FOR THE LEAD!!! pic.twitter.com/9xkDCXEqdI
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 11, 2025
“From the start of the year we’ve wanted to be even keeled,” Barrett Hayton said.
“We did a good job sticking with it…I think we did a pretty good job once we shifted our mindset & got in the right place.”
Barrett Hayton on the team’s resiliency:
“From the start of the year we’ve wanted to be even keeled.”
“We did a good job sticking with it…I think we did a pretty good job once we shifted our mindset & got in the right place.” pic.twitter.com/nBcrnAiwyc
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 11, 2025
Some nights, the puck just refuses to bounce your way.
But good teams stay committed to their game and dig deep in order to find a way to get the job done.
That’s what Utah was able to do against the Sharks as they remained desperate for a win on their own ice, battled through adversity and delivered a greasy victory for the home fans despite not playing their best hockey.
“We stayed with it…All of it. There’s a lot of good things. Greatness comes from that game. And the fact that we had that pressure, we kind of like that. It’s part of the growth, it’s part of who we want to become, it’s part of the journey,” Tourigny said.
“We want to win, we want to get in the race, climb in the standings and all those things. That comes with a ton of pressure internally and externally. And for all those reasons, I think that’s a good learning experience and a good building block.”
Like Tourigny pointed out, these are the moments that create a winning culture.
When you’re playing good enough to win, but the puck just doesn’t bounce your way.
In those moments, teams are able to mold their identity and experience growth.
That’s what this season is all about for the Utah Hockey Club, and tonight they were rewarded with a much-needed victory.
The Utah Hockey Club will host the New York Islanders 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.
