SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 08: Sean Durzi #50 of Utah Hockey Club skates against the Chicago Blackhawks at Delta Center on October 08, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. This game is the first for the franchise in Utah following their relocation from Arizona. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After missing over 50 games, Utah Hockey Club defenseman Sean Durzi scored his first goal of the season against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.
The score gave Utah a 3-1 lead in the second period of a must-win game for the Hockey Club.
I am certain that Durzi was unhappy that he was beaten on Minnesota’s goal just a few minutes before.
So, what does he do? Gets it back for his first in a Utah sweater.
What a shot from distance. Also, love Maatta battling in front of the net here. https://t.co/b2BOUvDeaK
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2025
Durzi had missed 52 games with a lower-body injury sustained against the New Jersey Devils in October.
He returned to the lineup less than a week ago against his former team, the Los Angeles Kings. Since being added back to the lineup, Utah has won two of its last three.
The long-distance goal was the 22nd of his career but, more importantly, his first as a member of the Utah Hockey Club.
SEAN DURZI SCORES HIS FIRST OF THE SEASON AND UTAH REGAINS A 2 GOAL LEAD!!!!
3-1 in Salt Lake City.
What a shot from No. 50.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2025
Utah was able to hold onto its two-goal advantage heading into the second intermission.
As the Utah Hockey Club embarks on the final stretch of their inaugural season, every game has to be treated like a game seven.
Utah is 11 points back from an outright bid into the postseason and four points back from the Wild Card. The Hockey Club has heated up at the perfect time as they enter the Thursday matchup with two straight victories and five wins in their last seven games.
This is the fourth time these teams will face off this season. Utah has a slight advantage in the season series with two wins and one shootout loss.
Before the final matchup between Minnesota and Utah, the division rivals have a relatively different outlook on the final stretch of the NHL season.
With a 26-24-9 record, Utah sits fifth in the Central Division and 10th in the Western Conference. At 34-20-4, Minnesota holds the third spot in the Central Division and the fourth spot in the conference.
The Hockey Club has an 11-12-6 record on the road while the Wild are 21-7-3 at home. Utah comes in with five wins in its last seven games while Minnesota has four wins in its last seven.
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.
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