Utah Hockey Club Snares Lead On Second-Chance Goal

SALT LAKE CITY – Nick Schmaltz was in the right place at the right time, redirecting a Michael Kesselring dart into the net to give Utah Hockey Club a 1-0 lead.

Utah HC (18-16-7, 43 points) looks to sink the Islanders (16-18-7, 39 points) on Saturday, January 11. Utah won the first matchup, picking up the 5-4 road victory on October 10.

Utah enters the night fifth in the Western Conference Wild Card race, ten points out of a Central Division playoff spot. The top two Wild Card teams advance to the playoffs.

RELATED: Connor Ingram Stonewalls Islanders In First Period

Schmaltzy with the tip! Utah gets on the board first! pic.twitter.com/c8Nt2h6sM6

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 12, 2025

Logan Cooley started the rush but had the puck knocked away just outside the crease. The pucks circled around to Kesselring, who ripped a shot from up high.

Schmaltz was on the doorstep and physicalled his way into getting a piece of the puck before it slipped by Marcus Hogberg. Kesselring and Cooley were credited with assists.

New York is doubling up Utah’s shot attempts but has come up empty with Connor Ingram in net.

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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.

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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.

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