SALT LAKE CITY – Barrett Hayton broke a lengthy stalemate with an unexpected wrist shot that surprised Alexandar Georgiev to give Utah Hockey Club a 2-1 lead.
Utah HC (17-16-7, 41 points) plays the second of seven straight home games with the San Jose Sharks (13-24-6, 32 points) lurking at Delta Center on Friday, January 10.
BARRETT HAYTON FOR THE LEAD!!! pic.twitter.com/9xkDCXEqdI
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 11, 2025
After being denied on the doorstep moments earlier, Hayton circled to the slot. After surveying the action, Hayton ripped a forehand wrister by Georgiev to put Utah in front with 1:32 left. Nick Bjugstad and Olli Määttä assisted the game-winner.
Utah HC held on in the final seconds despite a power play that left them skating six on four.
Utah Hockey Club forward Dylan Guenther is expected to miss significant time with an undisclosed lower-body injury, forcing the club to recall AHL All-Star Josh Doan from the Tucson Roadrunners.
According to head coach Andre Tourigny, the injury occurred against the Panthers during a collision with Barkov, and they don’t expect Guenther to be out for the entire season.
Guenther was one of Utah’s most consistent sources of offense, leading the team in goals and coming in fifth for assists.
Dylan Guenther just can't stop finding the scoresheet 📈
He's got both goals for Utah and his point streak improves to seven straight games pic.twitter.com/UZhn51FqGx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 21, 2024
Following a stellar training camp and preseason with the Utah Hockey Club, Doan was rewarded with a spot on the opening day roster.
While he started strong with a game-tying goal against the New York Islanders and recorded an assist against the Anaheim Ducks, the coaching staff ultimately decided that an assignment in Tucson would help Doan regain his confidence.
In 24 games, Doan compiled 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and was one of Tucson’s most impactful all-around players.
“A lot has changed. Obviously, you come out with a different perspective. You go down, and you work on things that they talk to you about and try to grow your game in a better way…” Doan said.
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.
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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.
