Clayton Keller Gives Utah Early Lead Against Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS – Early in the first period against the Golden Knights, Clayton Keller called his own number to give Utah a 1-0 lead in T-Mobile Arena.

As the Hockey Club had a 2 on 1 breakaway, Keller clearly thought about a pass before ripping one on the net.

Great goal from Keller here as he deceives the goaltender with his eyes and then buries it 5-hole.

First for Keller since Oct. 30.

Can’t overlook Hayton’s hustle in the neutral zone. Nice stick to force a turnover and feed Keller.#UtahHC https://t.co/lhhTnpG5Nd

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 1, 2024

The defense appeared to be waiting on the pass and wasn’t ready for the Captain to do it himself.

Keller took advantage of the fact that the defense was on its heels and slipped his shot under the goalkeepers pads.

The goal gave Keller his seventh of the season.

CLAYTON KELLER SCORES!!!!

1-0 Utah early in Vegas.#UtahHC

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) December 1, 2024

Despite being at seven goals, the score was the first for Keller in a month. His last came on October 30 in a home win, 5-1, over Calgary.

What Can Utah Learn From Vegas Hockey Arena Production?

For 41 days during the NHL’s regular season, T-Mobile Arena transforms into a fortress for the Vegas Golden Knights. In addition to 60 minutes of elite hockey with some of the biggest stars in the league repping the gold, steel gray and black, the arena becomes an absolute spectacle of all things Vegas.

As Delta Center and the Utah Hockey Club continue to acclimate to the culture of the NHL, there are a few things they could learn from one of the best arena experiences in the league.

Yeah, ok.

Vegas is SICK. What a production. #VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/2div9vkCqi

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) November 3, 2024

Now, it’s important to recognize a few things before jumping into this.

First off, the Utah Hockey Club is only seven months old. The production team is learning every day how to improve the atmosphere and according to President of Hockey Operations Chris Armstrong, they are actively working on it every game.

Second, an improved atmosphere will come with time.

But between now and then, here are a few things Utah can learn from Vegas:

1.  Embrace everything that is Utah. What makes our city and state unique? Our towering mountains, beautiful different landscapes, stunning National Parks, the greatest snow on earth and “Life Elevated.”
2.  If the team’s name is headed the direction everyone thinks it is, fully embrace that. Create a stunning pre-game show with the mythical creature using the ice, lasers, projections in a mountain setting. Also, the “Ice Den” or “Ice Cave” would be an incredible nickname for the Delta Center.
3.  There needs to be more engagement with the crowd. Like Vegas, there needs to be something during every stoppage. A video, a different chant, a game, or something to keep it loud. In between periods, play games with fans on the ice or get a party started. Allow youth teams to play short hockey games, lets fans race or shoot pucks the entire length of the ice for prizes.
4. Also, the music party during the second intermission in Vegas was a lot of fun, no reason Utah couldn’t do something similar.
5.  While the team’s identity is somewhat on hold until they decide on a new name, they’re still things that can be done now to create a Utah identity.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.

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