ST. PAUL, Minnesota—Two goals from Barrett Hayton and Karel Vejmelka’s sixth career shutout led Utah Hockey Club past Minnesota 4-0.
Utah HC (21-19-7, 49 points) faces the Wild (28-16-4, 60 points) at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday, January 23.
Vejmelka stopped 26 shots to register the second shutout in Utah Hockey Club history. Jaxson Stauber has the other.
Kept the momentum going 💪 pic.twitter.com/6o7eQJr96c
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 24, 2025
The Wild received good news after activating star skater Kirill Kaprizov and captain Jared Spurgeon from injured reserve earlier in the day. Spurgeon missed nine games with a lower-body injury.
Kaprizov missed 12 games with a lower-body injury, suffering the injury as his MVP campaign was ramping up. Kaprizov was the NHL leader in goals (23) and points (50) when he went down. Despite not playing since December 23, Kaprizov remains the 11th-leading scorer in the league.
Per Tourigny,
Mikhail Sergachev did not join the team for the road trip and remains day-to-day.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 23, 2025
This current #UtahHC stretch on the schedule is pretty intense. Utah is in the 5th of 16 straight games against teams with 48 or more points in the standings. For context… Utah has 47 points, 4 back of a Wild Card spot.#NHLinUtah @KSLSports
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) January 24, 2025
Let’s keep the momentum going. #UtahHC | @zionsbank pic.twitter.com/OXi0Qu4H2N
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 24, 2025
LISTEN LIVE: @utahhockeyclub is on the road to battle the @mnwild on the @kslsports app, @KSLSportsZone and:https://t.co/AFe3I4saD6 pic.twitter.com/TDZaoHSWue
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
BARRETT HAYTON SCORES AND UTAH LEADS 1-0 EARLY IN MINNESOTA!!!!!
Hayton has been on a tear as of late. Playing with Maccelli and Doan has been really positive for him.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
The new second line has had so much energy and zip the past few games.
Great forecheck here and Hayton stays hot with another goal. https://t.co/tKXvdkgfwU
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
After his goal against the Wild tonight, Hayton has 6 points (2G, 4A) over the last 4 games.
Like I said, it's really benefited him to play with Doan and Maccelli.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Minnesota is challenging for goaltender interference. https://t.co/DLKnhhc2Mv
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Goaltender interference confirmed.
I don't even know anymore.
Score remains 1-0 Utah.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Minnesota penalty for tripping.
Utah with their first power play opportunity of the night.
1P: 5:29 | 1-0 Utah
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
CLAYTON KELLER SCORES ON THE POWER PLAY.
WHAT. A. SHOT.
I don't know how he kept the puck on his stick or beat the goaltender.
Utah leads 2-0 with 4 minutes left in the first.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
🗣️ Mr. Versatile extends the lead!!! pic.twitter.com/cuNzC1DUQf
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 24, 2025
One way traffic for the Utah Hockey Club in the first period.
They suffocated the Wild for nearly the entire 20 minutes and were rewarded with 2 goals.
Would've had a third if it wasn't for a questionable goaltender interference call. https://t.co/49ci0fNKPK
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Steve Levy: "Clayton Keller, he might be the best player no one around the country knows yet. Yet!"
Ryan Callahan: "Yet is the key word."Keller's 17th goal of the season has given #UtahHC a 2-0 lead over Minnesota after one period of play.#UtahHC #NHLinUtah @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/Y3N4CpHHdl
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) January 24, 2025
Ian Cole to the box for slashing.
Minnesota with their first PP opportunity.
2P: 10:10 | 2-0 Utah
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
LAWSON CROUSE SCORES AND UTAH LEADS 3-0!
That was an unreal redirection. Crouse swatted it right out of the air into the back of the net.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
2️⃣ goals in 2️⃣ games for Olli Määttä!!! 3-0 Utah! pic.twitter.com/eITUvIGFvr
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 24, 2025
Kevin Stenlund to the box for tripping.
Minnesota with another PP opportunity.
2P: 5:07 | 3-0 Utah
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
Lawson Crouse's 7th goal of the season gives Utah a 3-0 lead on the road against the Minnesota Wild. It's Crouse's first point since an assist on January 4 against Dallas.#UtahHC @KSLSports pic.twitter.com/PiUjNE2Qye
— Sam Farnsworth (@Samsworth_TV) January 24, 2025
Minnesota penalty.
Utah with another PP opportunity.
2P: 1:17 | 3-0 Utah
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
A solid second period from Utah and not just because they extended their lead.
During the middle frame, Utah was outshot 12-3 but managed to respond with composure despite several stretches of sustained momentum for the Wild.
That's how you win hockey games. https://t.co/bVjR84GY7G
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
BARRETT HAYTON AGAIN!
Utah leads 4-0 in Minnesota.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Great work by Hayton to not only generate net traffic but clean up a rebound into the back of the net.
Also, underrated effort by Crouse to lift the defenseman's stick and prohibit him from stopping the puck at the very end.
Hayton is thriving as of late. https://t.co/nkoT1oKZxq
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
Michael Kesselring to the box for tripping
Minnesota with a late power play.
3P: 3:24 | 4-0 Utah
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 24, 2025
The second shutout in Utah Hockey Club history belongs to Karel Vejmelka!
26 saves on 26 shots! https://t.co/HgyjqTu2UW
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
The second shutout in Utah Hockey Club history belongs to Karel Vejmelka!
26 saves on 26 shots! https://t.co/HgyjqTu2UW
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
What a game for the Utah Hockey Club.
Utah improves to 49 points on the season, just 1 point behind the Blues & Canucks. They're also just 2 points behind Calgary in the 2nd Wild Card spot.
Canucks trail 5-1 in the 2nd, Blues lost 4-2, & Flames are tied 2-2 in the 2nd.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 24, 2025
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.
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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.
