SALT LAKE CITY – While the Utah Hockey Club received some reinforcement to their blue line with the debut of John Marino, a pitiful second period against the Montreal Canadiens resulted in yet another home loss. As the team slips further out of the Wild Card race, the Club is desperately seeking answers for their middle frame woes.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s loss to the Canadiens.
For the first time since being acquired this past offseason, defenseman John Marino made his official debut for the Utah Hockey Club against the Montreal Canadiens.
John Marino in a #UtahHC sweater for the very first time.
He will play tonight. pic.twitter.com/rYkGDpEhgA
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 15, 2025
While it was a small sample size, Marino played simple but had some visible rust.
In minutes 18 on the ice, he was physical, moved the puck and even contributed to the second-unit PK.
Was there some rust? Definitely. But this was his first NHL game in roughly nine months for a new team.
It’s going to take some before he’s playing at his best and acclimates to the structure.
“It’s tough, missing out on training camp and everything. But you’re able to come in, have a couple of practices with everyone, be around the group as much as you can,” John Marino said.
“So, it’s just a learning process.”
Once Marino reaches that point and settles into his game, Utah has some big plans for him as one of their top four defensemen.
“We have big plans for him. He’s a top four defenseman for us that can impact the second-unit PP and the number one PK,” General Manager Bill Armstrong said.
“If we can bring him in the right way & not overload him with minutes or situational play, it’ll help him grow and get comfortable.”
Bill Armstrong on Marino: “We have big plans for him. He’s a top four defenseman for us that can impact the second-unit PP & the number one PK.”
“If we can bring him in the right way & not overload him with minutes or situational play, it’ll help him grow & get comfortable.”
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 13, 2025
After putting the team on his back for a majority of the season, Karel Vejmelka finally had a bad game between the pipes for the Utah Hockey Club.
On 26 shots, Vejmelka managed just 21 saves (80 SV%) and gave up several soft goals to the Canadiens.
il s’est fait Dachulotter
Lights. Camera. Dachtion.#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/IgQ7ykW8J4
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
qui n’essaie rien n’a rien
a reminder to always shoot your shot#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/pBdqIiAVio
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) January 15, 2025
While it wasn’t his best night in net, there’s no reason to panic about Vejmelka’s performance against Montreal.
In 26 starts this season, he’s been a consistent brick wall with a .916 save percentage and without him, Utah likely wouldn’t even have as many wins as they do.
Every once and awhile goaltenders just don’t have it.
So, for Vejmelka to have avoided a bad game for this long is actually a very positive sign.
Throughout most of their inaugural season, but especially as of late, middle periods have consistently plagued the Utah Hockey Club.
While first periods generally are not an issue and team battles in the third to try and complete a comeback, something about the middle frame has haunted the Club.
From a number standpoint, Utah has been outscored 12-6 in the second period over the last 10 games and lost eight of those.
That’s a significant issue.
“There’s no reason to have excuses. We had a great first period; you need to show up in the second…You know on the other side that they will push. They’re one of the best teams in the NHL in the last 12 games or so. They have two or three losses in their last 12 games. What do you expect?” Tourigny said.
“For 60 minutes, roll them over and they won’t push back? No, they will push back. You get three or four power plays in the first period, a 5-on-3…It’s time for all of us; coaches and players, to take our responsibility. We need to be better than that. That’s what I think.”
Based on the eye test, it seems like Utah usually comes out strong in the first, falls flat in the second and then fights for their lives in the third just to come up short.
Could it be that Utah is simply exerting too much effort in the first which allows teams to easily storm back in the second?
Against the Canadiens, that seemed to be part of the problem as they absolutely dominated the first period with 14 shots and then completely fell apart in the second period as the Habs took control.
Regardless of the reasoning, it’s not a coincidence at this point and has cost this team severely at home.
“We’ve talked about it in the room, the second period as a whole,” Nick Bjugstad said.
“We’ve got way more and that’s about it…it’s time for everyone to look in the mirror.”
Nick Bjugstad addresses 2nd period woes:
“We’ve talked about it in the room, the second period as a whole.”
“We’ve got way more and that’s about it…it’s time for everyone to look in the mirror.” pic.twitter.com/gggqoGVVGs
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 15, 2025
There’s obviously a significant issue with second periods that simply has to be resolved.
If not, this team will continue to lose close games in the same manner and fall further behind in the Wild Card race.
The Utah Hockey Club will host the New York Rangers on Thursday 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.
