SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club fought hard but ultimately fell short against their Rocky Mountain rival Colorado Avalanche on Friday.
Utah tied the game at 1-1 midway through the third period. However, a response goal from Colorado led to goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka hitting the bench. The Avs took advantage with two open net goals to secure a 4-1 win on the road.
Utah and Colorado have faced off three times this season. All three games have ended in a blow out win for the road team.
The Avalanche took the season series win on Friday as the teams wont see each other again this regular season.
Feels good to be home 🙌 pic.twitter.com/9hgFHVBzId
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
Rally towels for tonight’s game 💯🥶❄️#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/zf0uajdf8O
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 27, 2024
Lineups for The Club. pic.twitter.com/BfMLJ6WPtL
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
Last home game of 2024. #UtahHC | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/Bs4pKlVYdO
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
Sustained pressure by the Avalanche here in the first minute. MacKinnon wins the draw back to Makar and they attack.
Those two have been on a rampage as of late. Have to shut them down tonight.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Avalanche with the first power play opportunity of the night.
Barrett Hayton will sit for 2 minutes for hooking.
1P: 15:50 | 0-0
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 28, 2024
Another really nice PK from #UtahHC
Superb goaltending from Vejmelka and a perfect shape in their own zone with great support.
Utah has one of the best PK’s in the NHL right now and it’s because they’re playing really well as a collective unit.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Big scrum behind the net.
Stenlund dropped somebody; Carcone’s helmet has come off, and Givani Smith ends up in the box for interference.
Yup, give me everything the Rocky Mountain Rivalry has to offer.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Really nice defensive effort from Schmaltz on the last Colorado rush. He backchecked, marked MacKinnon, stayed with him, and broke up what would’ve been a very dangerous pass.
High IQ and effort play.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
End 1st period.
Utah 0
Colorado 0SOG
Utah 11
Colorado 14— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 28, 2024
Scoreless after the first. pic.twitter.com/7apkp3fXLs
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
Vejmelka with a HUGE save on MacKinnon and the Veggie chants erupt at Delta Center.
Miscommunication by Utah gave MacKinnon a wide-open opportunity on the doorstep. He elected to shoot, and Veggie slammed the door.
Big time save.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Cooley is buzzing here in the second period.
Couple really nice O-zone shifts for him utilizing his speed and creativity to create dangerous chances.
Colorado is a fast team. Cooley can match it.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Avalanche strike first.
1-0 Colorado
2P: 8:08
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 28, 2024
That feed from MacKinnon 🤌
Perfect, perfect, perfect. #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/N020PmAZA2
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2024
Brilliance of MacKinnon.
Received the puck somewhat awkwardly, maintained possession, and delivered the perfect pass to Lehkonen for an easy goal.
It’s going to take a lot to win this game tonight for Utah. https://t.co/q98RIHFiQw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Kerfoot to the box after running over Blackwood.
He and Sergachev were pleading his case. From my angle it looked like he was pushed. Regardless, Colorado to the power play.
4:44 to go in the second period. Avs lead 1-0.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Another really nice PK from #UtahHC
Continued heroism from Vejmelka in net and active sticks in the slot breaking up dangerous opportunities.
The pressure has been constant from Colorado, but Utah has responded well.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
MacKinnon has dropped the gloves with Barrett Hayton.
Over pretty quick. But Colorado will now be without their best player for 5 minutes.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Here we go again. Lots of theatrics in the corner at the end of the second. These two teams DO NOT like each other and that’s what hockey rivalries are all about.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
End 2nd period.
Utah 0
Colorado 1SOG
Utah 18
Colorado 25— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 28, 2024
Headed to the final frame. pic.twitter.com/bmMo285QZx
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
Rantanen to the box for tripping. #UtahHC power play back to the ice.
3P: 17:24 | 1-0 Colorado
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 28, 2024
NICK SCHMALTZ SCORES AND THIS GAME IS TIED 1-1!!!!
DELTA CENTER IS GOING WILD.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
RELATED: Nick Schmaltz Scores Equalizer Against Avalanche In Delta Center
Utah’s power play remains red-hot after Schmaltz tips one in.
Beautifully constructed goal as they worked the zone, remained patient, and waited for the right opportunity.
Sergachev is so good at putting the puck in dangerous areas for his teammates. https://t.co/mgzL7ZiTR7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Defensive breakdown.
Three #UtahHC players stepped to the puck which left Lehkonen wide open in front of the net for an easy goal.
Not on Vejmelka whatsoever. https://t.co/Gy9NBQryGn
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Fire us 🆙#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/FfAtygrqMW
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 28, 2024
Vejmelka to the bench.
Extra attacker on for #UtahHC
2:20 remaining.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Rantanen puts one into the open net and that will just about do it here in Salt Lake City.
3-1 Avalanche with 1:50 to go.
Hard fought game. Avs were just a little bit better tonight.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 28, 2024
Couldn’t get it done tonight. pic.twitter.com/55MFvldGPD
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) December 28, 2024
