SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 08: Nick Schmaltz #8 of the Utah Hockey Club skates with the puck during the first period of a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 08, 2024 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a strong showing from Connor Ingram in his return, the Utah Hockey Club failed to create offense and lost a heartbreaker to the New York Islanders late in the third period. With only one win so far during a crucial home stand, Utah will need to find answers quickly in order to pick up precious points.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s late loss to the Islanders.
After being claimed off of waivers on January 5 by the Utah Hockey Club, defenseman Nick DeSimone has thoroughly impressed in his first two appearances in Salt Lake City.
Nick DeSimone has been really solid for #UtahHC over the last 2 nights.
He’s not flashy but he’s been really strong, reliable, and composed on the blue line. Utah may have something here after claiming him off waivers last week.
He’s looked good.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 12, 2025
As Utah has been somewhat decimated on the blue line in terms of injuries this season, the front office has made several waiver transactions in order to keep their roster full.
While Dakota Mermis was a bit of a swing and a miss before eventually being placed back on waivers, Utah may have actually found something in DeSimone.
Making his debut for the Utah Hockey Club this weekend in back-to-back games, the 30-year-old defenseman was confident, calm, composed and quietly played well.
In addition to being a big body at 6-foot-2, DeSimone didn’t try to do too much as he was strong in front of the net, kept his head on a swivel to avoid being burned, moved the puck well and even registered an assist against the San Jose Sharks.
🚨 Nick Schmaltz! All tied up at the Delta Center!!! pic.twitter.com/be0EIVm29j
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) January 11, 2025
Having to rely on waivers can be a tough task but based on early returns, DeSimone has seized the moment and given Utah a needed boost on their blue line.
While the Club is expecting John Marino and Maveric Lamoureux to return soon, it’s never a bad thing to have an abundance of talent, especially when they’ve been shorthanded for so long.
Making his first start in several months for the Utah Hockey Club, Connor Ingram was back in the net on Saturday night against the New York Islanders.
Before returning to the lineup, Ingram confirmed on Friday afternoon that his mother had tragically passed away in December and he needed time off in order to grieve.
Per Connor Ingram,
His mother passed away in December and so he needed time off to grieve.
Deepest Condolences to Ingram and his family.#UtahHC
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 10, 2025
“At the end of November, I asked for time off. My mom was really sick and then my mom passed away December 3rd. I was at home until the 13th, 14th,” Ingram said. “I took time off to grieve. I wasn’t handling it well. That’s why I was gone.”
Now back with the team, Ingram was simply spectacular in his first start between the pipes since late October.
Right from puck drop, the goaltender was locked in as he kept Utah in the game during the first period with 14 critical saves.
First big save of the night by Ingram.
Defensemen were all beaten but he remained composed and even had his glove ready in case Tsyplakov tried to elevate the puck.pic.twitter.com/Dao7iJP2aD
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 12, 2025
“It felt good. It was a long couple months off there. It felt good to be back out there,” Ingram said.
Throughout the remainder of the game, Ingram finished with 30 saves on 32 shots (93 percent).
He was confident, quick, assertive and did everything in his power to help his team win despite allowing the Islanders to score twice.
While it wasn’t the result that he and the rest of the team were hoping for, it was good to see No. 39 back out on the ice.
“It was awesome to see. Obviously, terrible news that he was dealing with. We were supporting him the whole time, giving him as much time as he needed. Obviously, it’s a terrible tragedy,” Nick Schmaltz said.
“He’s a great guy and he deserved a win tonight with the way he played.”
It’s been a tough stretch for the Utah Hockey Club over the past few weeks.
On top of losing eight of their last 10, Utah has been outscored 34-21 during that stretch as they’ve struggled to put the puck in the back of the net.
The problem?
Coach Andre Tourigny feels as though they’re simply trying to do too much.
“I think we’re trying to create the perfect chances. I think the chances we had are simple. They’re not complicated,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“I think during the game, we tried to simplify…Obviously, it was tough to sustain that for us. A lot of good intention from our players. They tried to do a lot. Less is more.”
Utah is not necessarily a team that’s going to outshoot their opponents every night, but instead, focus on creating quality chances over quantity.
When they’re able to do so, it generally works, and they win hockey games.
As of late, they’ve struggled to do so, and the losses are stacking up at a really bad time.
“It’s frustrating at times when pucks aren’t going in. Guys want to score.”
“We’ve got to find ways to generate more…It’s tough to win a lot of nights when you score one or two goals.”
Schmaltz on the team struggling to score as of late: “It’s frustrating at times when pucks aren’t going in. Guys want to score.”
“We’ve got to find ways to generate more…It’s tough to win a lot of nights when you score one or two goals.”#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/3Vbqi6GAda
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 12, 2025
Like Schmaltz pointed out, you’re not going to win a lot of hockey games by scoring a goal or two, even when Utah’s goaltending has been stellar.
January is an important month for the Utah Hockey Club and right now, things just aren’t going the way they need them to.
If this team want’s a shot at a serious playoff push, they need to figure out things offensively and start finding the back of the net.
If not, that opportunity will quickly slip away.
The Utah Hockey Club will host the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
