SALT LAKE CITY — Lawson Crouse delivered the decisive goal with a backhand shot, securing Utah Hockey Club’s 2-1 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday evening. The goal came at a crucial moment with 7:48 left in the game, giving Utah the edge they needed.
Clayton Keller contributed to Utah’s win by scoring in the second period, while Karel Vejmelka supported the team’s efforts with an impressive 21 saves. This victory marked Utah’s fifth win in their last seven matches, including a notable third consecutive home win, a first in the team’s record this season. Keller has been a standout player, accumulating a team-high 33 points over 29 home games.
On the Chicago side, Seth Jones was the one to break the ice, scoring the opening goal on a power play with 6:26 remaining in the first period. However, the Blackhawks struggled to maintain their lead, as Keller tied the game just 44 seconds before the end of the second period. Chicago’s goaltender Arvid Soderblom was kept busy throughout the game and managed to make 34 saves. Nonetheless, the Blackhawks have been facing a tough stretch, losing their last four games (0-3-1) and seven of their last eight matches (1-5-2).
The Blackhawks showcased a strong performance in penalty killing, successfully preventing Utah from scoring during all five of their power play opportunities. They entered the game with the NHL’s 10th-best penalty kill record at 80.8%. Despite this strength, Chicago struggled offensively, especially after the first period.
For Utah, the momentum shifted dramatically after a slow start. They managed only eight shots on goal in the first period but turned up the pressure with 28 shots during the latter part of the game. This surge in offensive effort helped them secure the comeback win.
A key moment of the match was when Crouse’s backhand shot put Utah ahead for the first time, becoming the decisive game-winner. This victory emphasized a troubling trend for Chicago, as they have not managed to win in any of the games this season when tied after two periods, now standing at 0-6-1 in such situations.
Looking ahead, the Chicago Blackhawks will be heading to Las Vegas for their next match on Thursday, while Utah will look to continue their strong home performance as they host Minnesota.
