SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 08: Lawson Crouse #67 of Utah Hockey Club skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center on October 08, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is the first for the franchise in Utah following their relocation from Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Hockey Club forward Lawson Crouse ended the team’s scoring drought in the third period against Colorado.
Utah trailed 4-0 at the time of the goal. But, Crouse’s third goal of the season gave a morale-boost at the very least.
Lawson Crouse scores his 3️⃣rd goal of the season.#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/QcHWDNASM2
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) October 25, 2024
Crouse found himself on a breakaway and faked left before bringing it back to the right and lighting the lamp.
Before the late goal, Utah had gone five periods without finding the back of the net.
After the scorching hot 3-0 start to the year, they came back to earth a bit after suffering some injuries and dropping three of four games.
UTAH HOCKEY CLUB FINALLY SCORES.
Lawson Crouse lights the lamp on a breakaway and the curse has been lifted.
They still trail 4-1 late but that had to help moral. The puck can actually go in the net.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 25, 2024
Unfortunately, the buzz in Delta Center was quickly quieted as the Avs immediately responded.
The Rocky Mountain clash came to an end with Colorado prevailing, 5-1.
Ahead of the first official matchup between the Utah Hockey Club and the Colorado Avalanche, Avs players have been taking in the sights of the NHL’s newest franchise.
As one of those players, reigning league MVP Nathan Mackinnon shared that he was “happy” to see the team relocated from Arizona this spring.
Making his first trip to Salt Lake City in preparation to face the Utah Hockey Club, MacKinnon shared that he was pleased to see the team moved to Utah due to the difficult situation in Arizona.
As the newest franchise in the NHL, he also complimented the ownership group, arena and state.
Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup Champion and reigning MVP Nathan MacKinnon shared that he was happy to see the team move to Utah. https://t.co/xz5tb1wrf1
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 24, 2024
“I was happy…I think everybody in the league was. Coming here it’s awesome facilities…the owner seems great…I think it’s exciting for not just Utah but the whole league,” MacKinnon told KSL Sports.
With so much more ownership support and access to better facilities, the Utah Hockey Club has found a stable home in Salt Lake City and one that is catching the attention of the NHL’s best players.
