CALGARY, ALBERTA, Canada – Lawson Crouse unleashed a wicked wrister less than ten minutes into the night to give Utah Hockey Club a 1-0 lead over Calgary.
Utah HC (16-15-6, 38 points) is in Calgary to take on the Flames (18-12-7, 43 points) at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday, January 2. Calgary lost 5-1 at Delta Center on October 30.
THE SHERIFF 🔥🤠pic.twitter.com/ig3sHexKLF
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 3, 2025
Crouse took a centering pass from Ian Cole and blasted the puck underneath Dan Vladar’s glove. The goal was Crouse’s fifth of the year and the 11th point for Cole.
Calgary has outshot Utah 6-4 in the opening minutes but hasn’t been able to beat Karel Vejmelka in goal.
It’s been tough for Utah HC lately. After winning seven straight road games, including their first five in December, the team has dropped five consecutive contests since beating Minnesota 2-1 on December 20.
According to Andre Tourigny,
There’s an illness going around the team so tonight’s lineup is still in question.
Sounds like Keller’s status is still up in the air among others.
On a positive note, Bortuzzo has returned.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 2, 2025
Utah HC will have to overcome an illness that has been sweeping through the locker room in recent days. The illness forced captain Clayton Keller from the lineup in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton earlier in the week. Matthias Maccelli will miss tonight’s game, with Liam O’Brien taking over on the third line.
Utah has been outscored 21-10 during the losing streak. The team is seeking its 12th road win.
The Flames currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, with Utah five points behind in 11th place.
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.Â
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.
