The Utah Hockey Club defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 overtime. Clayton Keller scored the game-winning goal on an unassisted play just 19 seconds into the period. Utah improves to 2-0 in preseason.
The Utah Hockey Club won their first preseason game, beating the St Louis Blues 5-3 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Utah is not missing a beat, and they come to the game prepared. It was a great night to be at Delta Center on Monday.
Although it was a preseason game, it didn’t feel like a preseason game. The crowd's enthusiasm and intensity felt like a playoff atmosphere. Delta Center had a lot of joy and excitement from the fans. The energy was electric. The first 20 minutes of the game were some of the best performances from this Utah team. They scored the first two goals in the first period.
Lawson Crouse scored the first goal of the game. Shortly after, Alexander Kerfoot scored the second goal to put the team up 2-0. Momentum shifted in the second period when the Kings scored two goals to tie the game with Jeff Maloot and Alex Turcotte.
Utah didn’t have the same urgency in the second period as in the first and took their foot off the game
One positive aspect of this Utah team is its toughness. Forwards, Liam O’Brien and Travis Barron got into fights. It is great to see this team defend and protect their teammate, goalie Connor Ingram. Every team that wants to be great needs enforcers or mental and physical toughness to have their teammates’ backs. Utah Hockey Club showed us that they fight and believe in each other in battle.
Ingram made 18 saves against the Kings. If they don’t allow more than two goals each game, Ingram and the Utah team will win many games in the future. Ingram can potentially have a career in Utah if he doesn’t give up many goals and stays healthy. Ingram is at the peak of his career. He has a lot to prove.
Utah won the physical game. They developers 33 hits, blocked 14 shots, and went two for four on power play possessions. The Kings won 64% of their faceoffs and had more shots on goal than Utah, but Utah's power play and physicality held them massively in this game.
Utah will play the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday, September 27, at 10 p.m.