Karel Vejmelka #70 of the Utah Hockey Club tends goal in the third period during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on November 23, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Continuing their pursuit of a coveted playoff spot, the Utah Hockey Club found a way to get the job done yet again with a gutsy win over the Detroit Red Wings. With a superb performance from recently extended Karel Vejmelka in net and a relentless effort in the third period, Utah stole two points on the road in the first game of a back-to-back.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s win in Motor City.
While Utah’s lines have been shuffled all season long due to the number of injuries they’ve sustained, Barrett Hayton has found his footing as of late on the second line and top power play unit.
During the month of February, Hayton has averaged nearly a point per night with four goals and four assists in 10 games.
How’s he getting it done?
By being an absolute pest in front of the net, battling in the dirty areas and effectively getting lost amongst the defense in the offensive zone.
Against the Red Wings, these skills were on full display as No. 27 recorded a critical assist on the power play and battled early in the offensive zone to kickstart an opportunity which ended up in the back of the net.
Great work to maintain possession in the O-zone by Hayton, perfect passing from Kesselring/Kerfoot, and what a shot by Guenther. https://t.co/OOWynARGwV
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
This is phenomenal work by Hayton to get lost in the O-zone and then feed Schmaltz for an easy one.
Detroit had no clue where Hayton was and once he received the puck it was a 2 on 1 executed to perfection.
Heads up from Schmaltz to move into position.pic.twitter.com/NxFT5lbapw
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
Despite a plethora of talent on Utah’s roster, Hayton brings a unique skillset that few others possess.
He’s feisty, bothersome, sneaky, battles hard and has experienced some significant growth since the beginning of 2025.
His contributions to the top power play unit also cannot be overlooked as he’s helped them connect multiple times over the last few games.
While Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley have taken big steps in their game this season, Hayton is also developing nicely and could be a critical piece of Utah’s offense moving forward.
Heading into the third period, it was anybody’s game as Utah and Detroit were tied at two goals apiece.
While the Red Wings dominated the initial frame, Utah fought back in the second and dug even deeper in the third period to snatch two critical points in the standings.
“We had one period to go out there and win an important hockey game and that’s what we did,” Lawson Crouse said.
“It shows a lot of courage from our team…getting a win like that feels good.”
Despite beginning the third on the PK and facing another man-down situation later in the period against a top five power play unit, Utah maintained their composure, threw their bodies in front of shots and shut the Red Wings down.
They also took advantage of their opportunities in the offensive zone as they generated turnovers, attacked the net and shelfed the puck twice to give themselves a two-goal lead.
No goalie is stopping that.
Spectacular shot from Stenlund. https://t.co/f9DSlihq7I
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
Heads up play from Crouse to recognize where the puck was going and go right to the net.
Beautiful pass. Great finish. https://t.co/hUQWQprRzZ
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
These are the types of performances teams need in order to make the postseason.
Games that if you played 10 times, the opposition would likely win nine but somehow you pull out the one.
“We bend but we didn’t break.”
“I like the way the guys were resilient, and they stayed together. That’s a big, gutsy win,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.
Following their “gutsy” win, the Utah Hockey Club now has 65 points and continues to put pressure on the Flames, Canucks and Blues.
While it will take more brilliance to snatch the final wild card spot, Utah is playing with the attitude and determination it takes to get the job done.
Karel Vejmelka was simply otherworldly between the pipes in Detroit on Thursday night as he finished with 38 saves on 40 shots (95 save percentage).
After signing his new five-year extension with the club less than 24 hours before the puck dropped, Vejmelka answered nearly everything the Red Wings threw at him to lead Utah to victory.
What a night for Veggie! #UtahHC | @HuntsmanMH pic.twitter.com/h1PlzlljXf
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) March 7, 2025
“I like those kinds of games with good pace. It’s kind of a playoff game,” Karel Vejmelka said.
“I’m just trying to be focused as much as I can and be ready for what’s going to happen in front of me. I expect it.”
While he was beaten twice in the first period, No. 70 shutout Detroit through the remaining two frames with several clutch saves and one count of severe robbery.
Criminal from Vejmelka. What a save.pic.twitter.com/eV7d7KVwOj
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
Considering the number of bodies blocking his vision and the fact that he was in the butterfly, Vejmelka had no business saving such a quick shot in close with so much pace.
But that’s just what he’s done as of late.
He’s put his squad in a position to win games every single night with moments of wizardry and earned a well-deserved extension.
“It’s great news for me. I desire to stay in Utah,” Vejmelka said.
“It’s a great group of guys. That was the first thing on my mind. To stay here…I am glad to stay.”
Utah wins another hockey game, and the club continues to FIGHT.
Vejmelka was otherworldly. 37 saves on 39 shots. Didn’t give up anything on the PK and was the MVP of that victory.
What a performance by this team.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 7, 2025
Not a lot of teams in the NHL are going to win a game when they’re outshot 40-19, but Vejmelka made it happen.
The Utah Hockey Club will now face the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night at United Center. The game can be viewed on SEG+. 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.
