KSLSPORTS FEED

Clayton Keller Opens Scoring Quickly Against Ducks

Dec 22, 2024, 3:30 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY- Clayton Keller and the Utah Hockey Club have the Anaheim Ducks in town for a mid-day match at Delta Center. The Hockey Club is playing the front end of a back-to-back with the Dallas Stars in town tomorrow night.

A packed Delta Center welcomed one of the hottest teams in the NHL onto the ice and the energy stayed high as the Utah Hockey Club took a very quick lead over the Ducks thanks to a rebounding effort from Clayton Keller.

Utah and Anaheim were only 1:20 into the game, but the Ducks shift was stuck on the ice and the Hockey Club wouldn’t allow them to switch.

Barrett Hayton possessed the puck near the right dot before dumping it back to Juuso Valimaki at the blue line. He flung the puck toward net, but Clayton Keller deflected it before it reached the Anaheim goaltender. The altered trajectory threw the goalie off balance as he shoved it away with his blocker. The rebound sat in front of the crease and Keller fought off four Ducks, including the goalie, to redirect it into the back of the net for the first goal of the afternoon.

Just a few minutes later, Utah turned the puck over, resulting in an Anaheim breakaway where Robby Fabbri scored the equalizing goal.

The Utah Hockey Club is responding in every situation, and their PK was elite against the Wild

While the number of penalties taken by the Utah Hockey Club on Friday was not ideal, their response to all five was perfect as they refused to allow Minnesota to score.

In addition to superb netminding from Karel Vejmelka, Utah had textbook positioning, an impenetrable shape and continuously sacrificed their bodies to block shots.

“We made some adjustments on the PK, it works well…We get big blocked shot, we get urgency. So, that’s pretty good. Power play, I don’t think we were extremely good, but we scored,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.

Utah simply responded when they needed to and that’s been the story as of late for this team.

After Minnesota scored in the first period, Utah responded with a tying goal just moments later.

Whether it was penalties committed in the first, second or third periods, they responded with critical stops.

When Minnesota pulled their goaltender late in the third for an extra attacker, the team held their ground, cleared the puck and secured the victory.

Regardless of what has been thrown at them, Utah has discovered a way to respond and that’s made a massive difference in winning close games, even if they are a bit greasy.

 

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

What more coverage of the Utah Hockey Club? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

What more coverage of the Utah Hockey Club? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

KSL 5 TV Live

KSLSports Feed

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

BYU Football Reportedly Lands Michigan OT Andrew Gentry

PROVO, Utah – The third time is the charm for BYU football in their pursuit of Andrew Gentry. BYU picked up a transfer portal commitment from the 6-foot-7, 327-pound offensive tackle, according to reports from 247Sports and On3. Ex-Michigan offensive tackle Andrew Gentry is expected to transfer to BYU, @chris_hummer and I have learned for @cbssports/@247sports. […]

19 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

EA Sports College Football 25 Simulation Of BYU/Colorado In Alamo Bowl

The Alamo Bowl: It's in the game!

1 day ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Tale Of The Tape: How BYU, Colorado Stack Up Ahead Of Alamo Bowl

Taking a look at how the two Big 12 programs stack up against one another entering the Alamo Bowl.

1 day ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

The Hat Trick: Utah Hockey Club Endures Another Poor Second Period In Loss To Dallas Stars

Despite a great first period and a valiant comeback effort in the third, the Utah Hockey Club was yet again plagued by a poor performance in the second which resulted in another loss to the Dallas Stars.

1 day ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Jordan Love Leads Packers To Playoff Birth With Monday Night Win

Former Utah State QB Jordan Love and the Packers secured a spot in the postseason with a victory over the Saints on Monday Night.

1 day ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

College Gameday Gives BYU/Colorado Predictions For 2024 Alamo Bowl

ESPN's pregame show weighed in on the All-Big 12 bowl clash in San Antonio.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

young male technician is repairing a printer at office...

Les Olson

Unraveling the dilemma between leasing and buying office technology

Carefully weigh these pros and cons to make an informed decision that best suits your business growth and day-to-day operation. 

A kitchen in a modern farmhouse....

Lighting Design

A room-by-room lighting guide for your home

Bookmark this room-by-room lighting guide whenever you decide to upgrade your lighting or style a new home.

Photo courtesy of Artists of Ballet West...

Ballet West

The rising demand for ballet tickets: why they’re harder to get

Ballet West’s box office is experiencing demand they’ve never seen before, leaving many interested patrons unable to secure tickets they want.

Electrician repairing ceiling fan with lamps indoors...

Lighting Design

Stay cool this summer with ceiling fans

When used correctly, ceiling fans help circulate cool and warm air. They can also help you save on utilities.

Side view at diverse group of children sitting in row at school classroom and using laptops...

PC Laptops

5 internet safety tips for kids

Read these tips about internet safety for kids so that your children can use this tool for learning and discovery in positive ways.

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why printer security should be top of mind for your business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Clayton Keller Opens Scoring Quickly Against Ducks