ELMONT, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 10: Sean Durzi #50 of Utah Hockey Club skates against the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on October 10, 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, N.J. – After checking out in the second period with an upper-body injury, it was announced that Utah Hockey Club defenseman Sean Durzi would not return.
Durzi is Utah’s No. 2 defenseman and his absence proved to be fatal on the road.
Utah defenseman Sean Durzi will not return to today’s game (upper body).
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 14, 2024
With Durzi in the lineup, the first period came to an end at a 0-0 draw.
Then, in the second, New Jersey found its stride and jumped out to a 2-0 advantage.
No other information on the specifics or severity of Durzi’s injury has been released at this time.
INJURY UPDATE@utahhockeyclub defenseman Sean Durzi will not return to today’s game (upper body)
— Utah Hockey Club PR (@UtahHC_PR) October 14, 2024
Before exiting against the Devils, Durzi had one shot on goal and two blocked shots.
Through the first three games of the season, Durzi recorded two assists and two shots on goal.
As the Utah Hockey Club prepares for the final game of their east coast road trip, there will be a change in net for Utah as Karel Vejmelka gets his first start between the pipes for the club.
After three starts for Connor Ingram through the first three games of the new season, Utah has elected to rest Ingram and provide Karel Vejmelka with his first start for the Utah Hockey Club.
Roster updates for UHC against the Devils:
O’Brien will replace Carcone.
Vejmelka will get his first start in the net.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 14, 2024
With a long 82-game season, it’s common for NHL teams to switch between netminders in order to keep them healthy and well-rested throughout the year. In 2023-24, Ingram appeared in 50 games for the club while Vejmelka had 38 starts and Matt Villalta took the net twice.
In his 38 starts last season, Vejmelka had a .895 save percentage and allowed 3.35 goals per game. Generally, a good save percentage is anywhere between .900 and .920 in the NHL.
During the preseason, Vejmelka allowed 10 goals in three starts on 81 shots (.876).