SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 22: Dylan Guenther #11 of the Utah Hockey Club skates during an NHL game at Delta Center on October 22, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tyler Tate/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tyler Tate/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The game had been moving away from Utah Hockey Club, but a power play and back-to-back third-period goals evened the game 2-2.
Utah Hockey Club (14-11-5, 33 pts) is hosting the Vancouver Canucks (16-9-5, 37 pts) at Delta Center on Wednesday, December 18.
Not out of this one thanks to Gunner 💪 pic.twitter.com/DZ4kQcEJgS
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 19, 2024
Things looked bleak for Utah Hockey Club after a dominating second period, but an early third-period goal gave Vancouver a 2-0 lead.
Nine minutes into the period, captain Clayton Keller cut the lead in half with a rebound goal.
Another look at the Captains goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kgnxHUt9XX
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 19, 2024
Utah went on the power play after a cross-checking foul and wasted no time. After winning the faceoff, Keller and Logan Cooley assisted Nick Schmatlz’s sixth goal to even the game.
Utah HC has outshot the Canucks 27-24 but couldn’t capitalize on several rush opportunities early.
In the NHL, many players take the opportunity to give back to the fans during pregame warmups by tossing pucks over the boards.
Usually, young fans bring signs and wear the sweaters of their favorite players in an attempt to win one of these highly coveted pucks.
I’ve noticed Keller does this before every game. Gives out a few pucks to fans. Thats a guy that just gets it.#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/fIbFp0rh8O
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 23, 2024
Long before Keller played in the NHL, he was thrown a puck at one of his first St. Louis Blues games from franchise legend Barrett Jackman.
“I remember, one of my first Blues games that I went to, one of the players threw me a puck. It was actually Barrett Jackman, and I wore his number for the first couple of years because of that. That’s kind of a cool story that sticks with me,” Keller said.
Looking back, Keller recalls how much he looked up to every player on the Blues and now desires to leave a similar impression on young hockey fans by giving back the same way.
This season I’ve noticed that Clayton Keller gives out the most warmup pucks before every game.
Today I asked him about it: “I just want to give back and give them something to remember…I try to do as much as I can.”
More here ⬇️#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/avyNbRwyCo
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 18, 2024
“I was a kid one day, and I looked up to all the guys on the Blues. Especially in warmups, I followed everything they did. So, I just want to give back and give them something to remember. If they’re new into hockey, hopefully they’re more excited about it…I try to do as much as I can,” Keller continued.
Utah Hockey Club games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. Listen to Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Hockey Club here.
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Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
