Barrett Hayton and the Utah Hockey Club are in the home stretch of the regular season, opening their last road trip against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center.

Utah got off to a bit of a rough start after Michael Kesselring was sent to the penalty box for hooking not even three minutes into the game, leading to a goal from Wyatt Johnston just 12 seconds into the power play, giving Dallas a one-goal lead.

It seemed things might get worse for Utah when, just a few minutes later, they went back on the penalty kill due to an Ian Cole Holding.

The Utah Hockey club was able to weather the storm, however, and carry some momentum into a power play of their own. At around the 12-minute mark, Oskar Bäck caught Michael Kesselring with a high stick, putting Utah on the man advantage.

Mikhail Sergachev stood at the point, surveying the ice and looking for either a teammate or an opening. He played pass with Dylan Guenther a few times before slinging a wrist shot toward the net. Barrett Hayton, who was standing right in front, screening Casey DeSmith, tipped the shot to pull Utah even with Dallas.

The goal was Hayton’s 20th, a new career high.

Barrett Hayton, ALL IN!

Tied up 1-1. pic.twitter.com/BGADovTC1c

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 13, 2025

A special bond has been forged between the Utah Hockey Club and their Clubbers

From the inaugural game on October 8 to the final matchup on April 10, a special bond between the Utah Hockey Club and their fanbase has quickly blossomed into something truly special.

“It was special for us. There were a lot of emotions. There were a lot of connections with the crowd,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.

“We wanted to play for them and play in front of them. It’s tough to comprehend there’s no more this year. We’re addicted now.”

Despite being the newest city in the NHL with thousands of new hockey fans, the city and state quickly transformed into a legitimate fanbase who fell in love with an unfamiliar sport.

Thanks for always showing up, Utah fans! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/AdolY8pp41

— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) April 11, 2025

Fast forward to their final home game of the season against Nashville, hundreds of clubbers were in the plaza before the doors had even opened, fully outfitted in their Utah jerseys, hats, shirts and of course, vegetable heads.

@utah_hockey got Vejmelka’s stick from warmups.

That is one happy vegetable. #UtahHC pic.twitter.com/lwyXk6CCh4

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) April 11, 2025

Whether a lifelong fan or completely new to the sport, the Utah Hockey Club has captured the hearts of many in year one as they’ve fully embraced the community.

“I never cared about hockey until now, and now I can’t imagine loving a sport more,” new fan Ashley Brewer said.

“It’s given me something to really look forward to…the friends I’ve made through it has been the best part of the whole experience.”

Dedicated to the fans, the final home game was a wholesome experience from start to finish.

Immediately following the puck drop, thunderous chants of “Let’s Go Utah!” rang throughout Delta Center with a feeling of gratitude.

Throughout the rest of the night, the players battled for the fans inside Delta Center who collectively responded with standing ovations, chants for Vejmelka and handwritten signs of appreciation.

“Hockey was always here. I think it’s really just shined a light on the community of hockey and how different it is from the sports we already have here,” Utah Hockey Club fan Kelley Godbold said.

“Utah is all about community and hockey is all about community…I think they just complement each other really well.”

In addition to being the perfect destination as a winter sports town, like Goldbold said, Utah is all about community which has created an intimate bond between the NHL and the beehive state.

So, while fans from Utah will always love their Jazz, Utes and Cougars, a unique bond has been born at ice level between the NHL’s newest franchise and their faithful clubbers.

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

Cole Bagley is the Utah Hockey Club insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.

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