The Hat Trick: Utah Hockey Club Wins Second Straight Against Philadelphia Flyers

Dec 8, 2024, 9:17 PM

Follow @kslsports...

SALT LAKE CITY – On the second half of a quick two game Eastern road trip, the Utah Hockey Club finally pieced together back-to-back wins for the first time since the beginning of the season. Despite a game of ups and downs with five goals in the second period between Utah and the Philadelphia Flyers, the Club remained composed and rang the victory bell in Philly.

Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s second-straight win.

Utah’s goaltenders are playing phenomenal between the pipes, and Stauber is seizing the moment

Despite an unfortunate injury to Connor Ingram a few weeks ago, the Utah Hockey Club is getting premier goaltending from Jaxson Stauber and Karel Vejmelka.

After posting the first shutout in franchise history against Vegas last week, Stauber made his second start for the Utah Hockey Club and was yet again superb.

Against the Flyers, Stauber made 22 stops on 24 shots (91 percent) and put his team in a position to win the hockey game. He was balanced, quick to react, remained composed and refused to allow one past him in the third period when the game was close.

Over the last eight games, Utah has only allowed 2 goals per contest. Meanwhile, in the previous 19, Utah allowed 3.3.

That’s a significant difference and has put Utah in a much better position to win hockey games.

“It felt really good. They have an elite PK. We score a big goal on the power play, and they generate as well on their PK, and we did a good job against that. Our PK was really solid…our goalie did a really good job. I like our game,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.

While Vejmelka has led the charge and it’s absolutely his net, Stauber has seized the moment in his two starts with two wins and a .962 save percentage.

If these two can keep it up, Utah may just want to roll with Vejmelka and Stauber moving forward.

Utah’s offense is playing their best hockey of the season right now

After what’s been an up and down year for the Utah Hockey Club with poor stretches of production, the team is currently playing their best hockey offensively.

Over the last six games, Utah has outscored their opponents 22-12 which has resulted in four wins.

The biggest difference? Utah has gotten back to their game and they’re getting significant contributions from more of their veterans.

“It was a huge road trip for us. Two good efforts. I thought we stuck to the game plan most the game. Lots of ups and downs tonight. But proud of the guys and the way we fought…I think we did a good job,” Clayton Keller said.

Against the Flyers, all of that was again on display for several of their goals.

Kicking things off, Michael Carcone continued to play well as he utilized his speed up the wing, threw the puck on net, bodies crashed, and the frozen biscuit ended up across the line.

Next, following an extensive offensive zone possession with effective movement and puck circulation, Mikhail Sergachev fired one on net and Juuso Valimaki got in front to tip it in for his first of the season.

As for the third, this was goal was absolute perfection with a textbook zone entry, two gorgeous passes and a great move from Logan Cooley to put Utah back in front.

Utah is at their best when they utilize their individual skills, generate movement, get bodies in front of the net, and crash hard. It also helps when they get more production from their veterans and there’s been a direct correlation in recent wins as Nick Schmaltz, Michael Carcone, Kevin Stenlund and Juuso Valimaki have been producing more as of late.

It’s simple hockey, but it’s their brand and has led to a lot of success latey as they’ve stuck to it.

Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther are a special duo and will elevate this team to new heights

Over the past few weeks, young forwards Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley have simply been on a tear for the Utah Hockey Club.

In the last eight games, Cooley leads all Utah skaters with 11 points (4G, 7A) while Guenther has nine (3G, 6A).

After hitting the reset button a few years back and building through the draft, the club clearly struck gold with these two young skaters.

Guenther is a pure sniper who can light the lamp in a plethora of ways from anywhere in the offensive zone. He’s also a talented distributor as he has 13 assists (third on the team) on the year.

As for Cooley, with his speed, handles, vision and creativity, he’s such a versatile skater who can be effective in so many different ways.

Related: Logan Cooley Scores Power Play Goal To Give UHC The Lead

These are the types of players that can alter the trajectory of a franchise and transform your team into a contender.

At the ages of 20 and 21, there is still so much more ahead of these two as they’re just scratching the surface in terms of their potential.

Utah Hockey Schedule

The Utah Hockey Club will now return home for a single game homestand against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night. The game can be viewed on ESPN+, Hulu or Disney+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 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. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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

Eagles Deny Chiefs Super Bowl Three-Peat With Dominant Defense In 40-22 Rout

The Philadelphia Eagles’ ferocious defense denied Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs a Super Bowl three-peat.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Taylor Swift Booed By Super Bowl Crowd As She Watches Travis Kelce, Chiefs

Taylor Swift was back at the Super Bowl to watch Travis Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

12 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Eagles Dominate First Half Of Super Bowl En Route To 24-0 Lead

The Philadelphia Eagles could do no wrong on either side of the ball in the first half of Super Bowl LIX as they soared to a 24-0 lead by halftime.

14 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Utah Hockey Club Forward Josh Doan Reassigned To Tucson Roadrunners

Utah is making some roster adjustments, reassigning Forward Josh Doan to the Tucson Roadrunners.

18 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

The Hat Trick: Karel Vejmelka Saves The Day For Utah Hockey Club In Shootout Victory Over Caps

Karel Vejmelka posted a shutout in a shootout as the Utah Hockey Club secured two critical points before the Four Nations break.

18 hours ago

Follow @kslsports...

KSL Sports

Super Bowl Three-Peat Eluded All-Time Greats. Now Mahomes Takes His Shot

Kansas City is in the Super Bowl after winning the last two, which means the Chiefs have done what many others couldn't before them.

18 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

The Hat Trick: Utah Hockey Club Wins Second Straight Against Philadelphia Flyers