SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Hockey Club went back-to-back in the win column as they closed out their seven-game home stretch with a pivotal victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Despite being without their captain for more than 20 minutes after he took a puck to the eye, Clayton Keller returned to the game with a contagious energy that inspired the team to another critical win on home ice.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 5-2 over Winnipeg.
Pics that go hard: pic.twitter.com/U7zUjHMkUz
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 21, 2025
After 24 games in the AHL with the Tucson Roadrunners, Josh Doan has demonstrated visible growth since being recalled by the Utah Hockey Club.
In the five games since his return to Utah, Doan has three points (1G, 2A) and appears to have regained his confidence as the coaches had hoped.
He’s been relentless on the forecheck, battled in the dirty areas, skated hard and given 110 percent every night.
“We really like the way he forechecks. We like as well, he’s very heavy on puck,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“Every time he’s in a battle, I’m like, we’re winning that thing…and that was a heads up play on the Maccelli goal. Wow, that was great.”
Against the Jets, all of that was on display as he finished the night with two masterful assists and demonstrated unselfishness to set up his teammates for easy scoring opportunities.
The effort from Doan here is amazing.
He’s doing exactly what he’s been asked and it’s paying off. https://t.co/tGVdhHAuJc
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Beautiful play.
Another fantastic setup from Doan. Definition of hustle. https://t.co/qrZxs70sx7
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Both goals were the perfect example of what Josh Doan brings to the team and how much his game developed in just a short time.
If he can keep building on these types of performances, he’s going to be an important piece for this team’s future.
Despite some unfortunate results during their seven-game home stand, the Utah Hockey Club dug deep to earn their biggest win of the season over the Winnipeg Jets.
Not only did they dominantly dethrone the best team in the Western Conference, but they also posted four goals on the best goaltender (Connor Hellebuyck) in the league.
Those are two significant achievements that demonstrate what this team can do when they have a sustained belief throughout 60 minutes.
Josh Doan had his best game in a Utah sweater, Barrett Hayton was an offensive machine, Logan Cooley scored a jaw-dropping goal and Connor Ingram was great in net again.
The kid is so beyond talented.
Hellebuyck knew he was beaten before the shot left the tape.
What a stretch from Cooley and Keller. https://t.co/dR1vhyt8sT
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Great initial save on the breakaway and then I don’t even know how he kept that wrap around out.
Simply brilliant.pic.twitter.com/YqFpNjmfjl
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
For a team with so many talented yet young players, confidence in themselves is the key.
When their confidence is high, they can hang with the best. When it’s not, the wheels often come off.
“I never felt the boat was rocking. We had great leadership; we had a great presence. I’m really proud of the way we weathered the storm and stayed with it. I think that made a difference,” Tourigny said.
“When we took the lead, we didn’t change the way we played. We kept playing the same way. We started the third period, we didn’t back down or get nervous, we kept playing–playing the right way.”
With more time and experience, Utah will develop a consistent confidence in their game. Once that happens, they’ll be tough to beat on a consistent basis.
Early in the second period, captain Clayton Keller took an absolute rocket of a shot above his right eye that forced an immediate exit to the locker room.
Keller just took a puck to the face.
He immediately took his helmet off and headed straight to the locker room.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
After roughly 25 minutes and many questioning if he’d return, Keller emerged from the bench to take the ice despite a massive amount of blood and swelling above his eye.
“That’s a hockey player, huh?” Tourigny said.
“Coming back without hesitation, without a doubt in his head, that was great.”
GOOD GRAVY.
That’s why he wears the “C.”
Just an absolutely fierce competitor. https://t.co/pBrt9WuwY5
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
Rather than bowing out or calling it a night, Keller remained true to the “C” on his chest and ignited the offense with his energy.
I don’t know if Keller can even fully see straight with how swollen his eyebrow is and yet he put the puck in the back of the net.
Thats a hockey player. Utah has a real one wearing the “C.” https://t.co/ig3dm5TNQA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
While the NHL eventually credited Olli Maatta with the goal and Keller with an assist, the effort he brought after returning was still wildly impressive.
“It does a lot for the bench knowing that he’s willing to do that, come back, and go right back to the net front the next shift,” Josh Doan said.
“For him to bounce back like that was huge for us.”
But that’s just who Keller is. He’s a fierce competitor who will stop at nothing to be there for his team and help them win.
“I’m feeling great,” Keller said.
“I was kind of sitting there for like 20 minutes just laying down on my back. When I came back out, I just tried to get my legs into it & be simple.”
Clayton Keller:
“I’m feeling great.”
“I was kinda sitting there for like 20 minutes just laying down on my back. When I came back out I just tried to get my legs into it & be simple.”
He received 12 stitches. pic.twitter.com/dqZdnee2nh
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 21, 2025
That’s why he wears the first ever “C” in Utah Hockey Club history and leads his team into battle every night.
The Utah Hockey Club will now face the Minnesota Wild on the road on Thursday night. The game can be viewed on ESPN+ and Hulu. 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.
