Apr 5, 2025 , 5:33 PM | Updated: 5:42 pm
Utah Hockey Club center Clayton Keller (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during an NHL game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 22, 2025 (Tess Crowley, Deseret News).
(Tess Crowley, Deseret News)
BRIAN PREECE
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club and Clayton Keller controlled the early pace against one of the league’s best teams, capitalizing on a power play to grab a 1-0 first-period lead.
Utah HC (34-30-12, 80 points) hosts the high-flying Jets (52-20-4) at Delta Center on Saturday, April 5. Winnipeg’s 108 points led the NHL. Utah begins the day fifth in the Western Conference Wild Card chase, nine points behind the second-place Minnesota Wild. St. Louis has won 11 straight games, jumping into the WC lead.
The Jets lead the season series against Utah 2-1. Utah HC downed the Jets 5-2 at Delta Center on January 20. Winnipeg won both games on home ice, claiming 5-2 and 3-0 wins. The Jets are 24-14 on the road, while Utah HC is 16-15-7 at home.
The Captain scores first! 1-0 Club 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0DG4Duehkv
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 5, 2025
Winnipeg’s Dylan Samberg went to the box on a tripping call, giving Barrett Hayton a chance to win a faceoff in the Utah offensive zone. Seconds later, Nick Schmaltz zipped a pass across the zone to a waiting Keller.
Utah’s captain blasted a one-time past Connor Hellebuyck to take the first-period lead. The goal was Keller’s 26th of the year, equaling Dylan Guenther for the team lead.
The momentum continued when Utah killed a Winnipeg power play to maintain the advantage.
Utah leads 1-0 with 10:40 left in the first 20. Utah has outshot the league’s top-scoring team 4-3 but has been outhit 7-1.
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 the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
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