The Utah Hockey Club made its debut in front of the home crowd at Delta Center on Monday night ahead of its inaugural season in the NHL.
Facing a Los Angeles Kings team that opted not to play any of its stars, Utah secured a 3-2 overtime victory to continue its successful start to the pre-season.
It was winger Clayton Keller who played hero, scoring the game-winner 19 seconds into overtime to give his team its first win on home ice.
Utah also won its first-ever pre-season game on Sunday, defeating the St. Louis Blues, 5-3. That game was held at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
Forwards Lawson Crouse and Alexander Kerfoot scored Utah’s two other goals on Monday night. In net, goaltenders Connor Ingram and Matt Villalta split time, with Ingram making 18 saves on 20 shots and Villalta stopping all nine shots he faced.
For the Kings, forwards Jeff Malott and Alex Turcotte each recorded a goal. The net was shared by Erik Portillo, who made 14 saves on 16 shots, and Carter George, who stopped six of seven.
Post-game, Utah forward Liam O’Brien told reporters that the energy of the home crowd was “just unreal.” The arena was filled to capacity with a crowd of 11,131.
“I think the fans were a big part of that,” he added. “Obviously, it was a pre-season game, but (Keller) said it was one of the most fun pre-season games he’s ever played, if not the most fun. We had a blast, and the energy was unbelievable.”
Crouse, who recorded Utah’s first goal on home ice, echoed a similar sentiment.
“It was special for everybody when we came out before the anthem. It was so electric in there, a lot of energy on the bench. I think we’re all proud and happy to be a part of this… It’s something truly special and tonight’s an example of that.”
The team will be back on the road for its next three games before capping off the pre-season at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah, against the Colorado Avalanche on Oct. 5.
Its regular season opens at home on Oct. 8 against the Chicago Blackhawks.