SALT LAKE CITY — A three-goal lead evaporated as the Utah Hockey Club faced the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, resulting in a shocking defeat at Delta Center. The Ducks rallied back to beat Utah 5-4 in a nail-biting shootout after trailing by three goals, demonstrating the unpredictable excitement of NHL hockey.
It only took the Utah Hockey Club 1 minute and 26 seconds to claim the lead, with captain Clayton Keller scoring first by tapping in the puck from Juuso Valimaki's shot rebound, beating Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal. Keller’s goal set the stage for what seemed like a comfortable night for Utah.
Utah kept the pressure on, extending their lead to 4-1 before chaos ensued. Keller assisted on Barrett Hayton’s goal, making the score 2-1, and Logan Cooley added another with just under three minutes left in the first period. Keller then fired home his second goal of the game on a wrist shot from the top of the slot, giving Utah its largest lead at 4-1 early in the second period.
But the Ducks (13-15-4) refused to back down. Robby Fabbri led the charge for Anaheim, scoring twice during their comeback and showcasing why resilience is key in sports. His second goal came with just over seven minutes remaining, propelling the Ducks forward before Brett Leason struck on the power play to tie the game at 4-4 late in the third period.
Utah’s once dominant lead had seemingly disappeared as they lost some of their composure. Head coach Andre Tourigny reflected on the situation, stating, “I don’t think we were good from the beginning. I don’t think we changed when we took the lead.” The Ducks took advantage of every mistake, leveraging their power play opportunities, particularly with Leason’s late-game equalizer.
With no winner after regulation, the teams headed to overtime, but neither side could clinch the win. Both teams had chances, with Keller hitting the crossbar during overtime, narrowly missing his hat trick. The drama peaked during the shootout when Mason McTavish of the Ducks scored the game-winning goal, leaving Utah stunned after such a promising start.
“It was kind of a back-and-forth game, we just weren’t good on our details,” Keller remarked after the game, acknowledging the Ducks’ comeback. “They get some life, they get some bounces, and we unfortunately lose the game.”
Despite the loss, Keller’s performance was noteworthy. His two goals and two assists not only helped him become the first player in Utah Hockey Club history to achieve four points in one game but also served as a silver lining for the home team. His contributions helped build momentum early on until the Ducks tilted the game’s momentum.
The win for Anaheim was significant as it halted Utah’s four-game winning streak. Ducks’ coach Greg Cronin praised his team's efforts and acknowledged the challenge facing them prior to the game, stating, “I knew before the game this was going to be a real challenge. I don’t think they’ve lost in regulation for like 10 or 11 games, whatever it was.”
The game attracted considerable attention not only for its thrilling conclusion but for how it showcased the high stakes and competitive spirit of the NHL. Both teams demonstrated skill, strategy, and resilience, embodying the true nature of hockey.
For Utah, the learning experience will be valuable as they prepare for their next matchup against the Dallas Stars on December 23, 2024. Will they bounce back from this disappointment and reclaim their winning form? Only time will tell.
Meanwhile, the Ducks can celebrate their ability to come back from adversity, setting the stage for what they hope will be another positive result as they head to Las Vegas. With their confidence boosted by this dramatic win, Anaheim will look to build momentum heading toward the holidays.
