Utah Hockey Club defeat Chicago Blackhawks in inaugural season opener
Oct 9, 2024, 6:30 AM | Updated: 11:48 am
The Utah Hockey Club are introduced prior to playing 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 – During a night of nearly infinite firsts, the Utah Hockey Club put on a show during their inaugural home opener as they defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2. With loads of production from their top forwards, including Dylan Guenther who netted the first goal in franchise history, the club got off to a perfect start with a victory in their new home.
Tune in for a recap at 11:35!
Utah Hockey Club needs to be better at clearing their own zone
While the team looked good in most areas in their season opener, there were some obvious issues in their own zone and trying to clear the puck.
At times, skaters struggled to make the right passes, failed to put enough on it to get it out or simply did not look where they were sending it. That gave the Blackhawks extra opportunities and nearly cost them late in the game which forced goaltender Connor Ingram to make some phenomenal bail-out saves.
“I think that’s what this team needs to learn now. Learn to win games and close them out so. I think that’s a good learning step for us. Obviously, there’s a couple chances that didn’t go our way there. But that’s learning, and I think you’ll take that. You take the two points out of it, you learn from it, and you move on,” Connor Ingram said.
However, it is important to recognize that half of the defensemen were playing their first regular season game with team. With time, they should be able to adjust and clean up those mistakes.
Cooley, Guenther, McBain Line shines as Guenther scores first goal in club history
It was business per usual for the Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther and Jack McBain line as they orchestrated some of the best chances and offensive zone possessions that Utah had all night.
Making Utah Hockey Club history, Dylan Guenther picked up where he left off during the preseason and found the back of the net to record the first goal in franchise history.
Read the full story and more from Cole Bagley at KSLSports.com
Related: Anticipating the first Utah Hockey Club game of the season
