Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) guards the goal as the Utah Hockey Club and Carolina Hurricanes play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday Nov. 13, 2024 (photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News).
(photo by Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Give Karel Vejmelka a Gold Glove after the Utah Hockey Club goaltender snatched a Filip Hronek missile out of midair.
Utah HC (24-24-9, 57 points) is hosting the Vancouver Canucks (26-19-11, 63 points) at Delta Center on Sunday, February 23. The Canucks are three points ahead of Calgary and six points in front of Utah for the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Oh, that's nice.
What a glove save. https://t.co/3oK4yx5NX5
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 24, 2025
It’s been an exciting first period, with both teams vying for a playoff spot in the season’s final weeks. It was a fast-paced game, with Vancouver and Utah flying up and down the ice, looking for an opening.
Twelve minutes into the game, Hronek thought he had found an opening, firing a wicked wrister from the slot. Vejmelka raised his right hand and effortlessly plucked the puck out of the air.
Veggie made four saves, compared to 11 from Arturs Silovs in the scoreless opening period.
With not one, not two, but three goals against the LA Kings on Saturday night, Hayton demonstrated the development of his game and just how dangerous he can be in front of the net.
“I often talk about how much Hayton plays the right way. He does everything right. He has the right attitude. He competes so hard,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“You can’t not cheer for him. Really happy for him.”
History has been made off the tape of Barrett Hayton.
First hat-trick in club history belongs to No. 27.
What a game for him. Statement performance.pic.twitter.com/A8ZxwuKECB
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 23, 2025
With the majority of Hayton’s goals coming in close to the net front this season, he’s certainly established himself as a bothersome presence which is a huge win for the team.
Not only has he been able to put the puck in the back of the net, but Hayton battles incredibly hard, creates turnovers, cleans up rebounds, and does a few little things to be genuinely obnoxious.
Every team needs a player willing to do that.
Someone who crowds the crease, digs relentlessly, and pokes at the puck until the defense has no choice but to step in.
Another milestone for the Club!
Barrett Hayton notched his first career @NHL hat trick, and our first in franchise history! pic.twitter.com/NbNAVdiifN
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) February 23, 2025
After dealing with some adversity early in his career and missing most of last season due to injury, it’s incredibly positive for Utah to see Hayton make a significant impact.
If he can continue to build on what he’s accomplished this season, Hayton will be a critical piece of Utah’s offense as they build toward playoff contention.
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.
Find KSLSports.com coverage of the Utah Hockey Club here.
Are you on Threads yet? Let’s connect; give us a follow @kslsports.
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24.
