Nick Schmaltz Evens Game With Powerful Wrister
Jan 10, 2025, 8:24 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Hockey Club finally broke through in the second period after Nick Schmaltz fired the puck from open space to tie the game 1-1.
Utah HC (17-16-7, 41 points) plays the second of seven straight home games with the San Jose Sharks (13-24-6, 32 points) lurking at Delta Center on Friday, January 10.
RELATED: Utah Hockey Club Vs. San Jose Sharks Live Blog
Phenomenal patience here from Schmaltz.
Waited for the right window to open and let one rip.
Utah kept at it and were finally rewarded with a goal.pic.twitter.com/b48Sl9fBr7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 11, 2025
Trailing 1-0 late in the second, Utah HC had been on the unfortunate end of two pucks off the post. Despite controlling the attack, the Club had come up empty.
With 14:03 left, Schmaltz skated free from deep in the offensive zone before taking a shot. Schmaltz circled the zone, and after looking for a pass from the slot, he ripped the puck past Alexandar Georgiev to tie the game.
Clayton Keller (27) and Nick DeSimone (1) assisted the play.
Can Josh Doan match Dylan Guenther’s production?
Utah Hockey Club forward Dylan Guenther is expected to miss significant time with an undisclosed lower-body injury, forcing the club to recall AHL All-Star Josh Doan from the Tucson Roadrunners.
According to head coach Andre Tourigny, the injury occurred against the Panthers during a collision with Barkov, and they don’t expect Guenther to be out for the entire season.
Guenther was one of Utah’s most consistent sources of offense, leading the team in goals and coming in fifth for assists.
RELATED: Dylan Guenther Out Indefinitely With Lower Body Injury
Dylan Guenther just can’t stop finding the scoresheet 📈
He’s got both goals for Utah and his point streak improves to seven straight games pic.twitter.com/UZhn51FqGx
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 21, 2024
Following a stellar training camp and preseason with the Utah Hockey Club, Doan was rewarded with a spot on the opening day roster.
While he started strong with a game-tying goal against the New York Islanders and recorded an assist against the Anaheim Ducks, the coaching staff ultimately decided that an assignment in Tucson would help Doan regain his confidence.
In 24 games, Doan compiled 19 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and was one of Tucson’s most impactful all-around players.
“A lot has changed. Obviously, you come out with a different perspective. You go down, and you work on things that they talk to you about and try to grow your game in a better way…” Doan said.
Follow Utah Hockey Club With KSL Sports
Utah Hockey Club games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. Listen to Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Hockey Club here.
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Brian Preece is a KSLsports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball coverage here.
