OTTAWA, Ontario- It was a sluggish start in Ottawa between the Utah Hockey Club and the Senators. Ottawa, who is playing the second leg of a back-to-back, and Utah, who traveled from Winnipeg yesterday, were scoreless through more than 30 minutes of hockey.
Karel Vejmelka and Leevi Merilainen both put on strong performances in the first period, stopping several prime scoring chances on either side, and they carried over their defensive momentum into the second period.
With about eight minutes remaining, the Senators slashed and Utah went on the power play, but a turnover as the Hockey Club attempted to enter the offensive zone put Ridly Greig on a breakaway for Ottawa. Despite being on the power play, Utah conceded the short-handed goal and were down 1-0.
Despite the blunder, Utah didn’t appear to lose any momentum and were the beneficiaries of some puck luck as they found the equalizing goal just a minute and a half later.
Clayton Keller shuffled the puck into the middle of the zone before dumping it to the far wall. Olli Maatta possessed the puck and pushed it back to Keller in the far circle. Keller turned toward the goal and spotted Logan Cooley open in the slot.
As Keller passed the puck, two Ottawa defenders poked their sticks into the passing lane, resulting in a serendipitous bounce for the Utah Hockey Club into the back of the net, tying the game at one goal a piece.
Sometimes, the puck does bounce your way.
Hockey Gods showing Utah some love as this game is tied. https://t.co/7tTMSaIAFr
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 26, 2025
During the month of January, forward Nick Schmaltz has been quietly playing really good hockey for Utah.
While Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller have stolen the spotlight with 26 combined points, Schmaltz has been nearly as impactful with nine of his own and eight-straight games with a point.
Schmaltz has been quietly playing really good hockey as of late. https://t.co/jryZAIdreA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 25, 2025
Despite somewhat of a rocky start to the season and struggling to score a goal for Utah until November 30, Schmaltz stuck with it and is now playing his best hockey of the year.
Netting his fourth goal of the month against Winnipeg, Schmaltz has simply played with a different energy and charisma over the past few weeks.
He’s been more active around the net, battled hard for positioning, managed to tip a few in and consistently found his teammates.
Against the Jets, Schmaltz played with that same urgency as he impressively tipped one into the back of the net to extend his streak and tie the game at one.
Great work from the PP unit here to get the Jets to bite and then feed Kesselring who stepped up high and ripped one on net.
Beautiful deflection from Schmaltz, another assist for Keller, and PP goals in 5 of the last 6 games for Utah.pic.twitter.com/cuNNIImaE6
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 25, 2025
Perhaps playing with Cooley has taken some of the weight off of his shoulders in terms of facilitating and allowed him to attack the net with more success.
Regardless, Schmaltz has been a big part of Utah’s recent push for a wild card spot and made a big difference.
