SALT LAKE CITY — In a decisive matchup on April 1, 2025, the Utah Hockey Club triumphed over the Calgary Flames with a score of 3-1, marking their second consecutive victory. The game showcased stellar performances, particularly from Utah's goaltender Karel Vejmelka, who made an impressive 33 saves, ensuring his team maintained their lead throughout the contest.
Kevin Stenlund opened the scoring for Utah late in the first period, netting his 12th goal of the season with just 2:14 remaining. Stenlund's one-timer from the inside edge of the right circle came off a slick pass from Alexander Kerfoot, catching the Flames' defense off guard. The goal set the tone for the rest of the game, as Utah took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The Flames, who have struggled lately, found themselves in a deeper hole early in the second period. Barrett Hayton doubled Utah's lead at 2:25, slipping a backhander through the legs of Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf after a give-and-go with Sean Durzi. This goal marked Hayton's 18th of the season and left Calgary scrambling to respond.
Calgary finally found a glimmer of hope when Rasmus Andersson scored at the 13:00 mark of the second period. Andersson's shot from the point made it through a screen and found the back of the net, giving the Flames their first goal of the night and cutting Utah's lead to 2-1. This marked Andersson's 11th goal of the season, matching his career high from the 2022-23 season, and his 229th career point, allowing him to surpass Dion Phaneuf for eighth on Calgary's franchise scoring list among defensemen.
Despite controlling much of the play in the third period, Calgary couldn't find the equalizer. Vejmelka was particularly sharp, making crucial saves on Blake Coleman and Matt Coronato during a frantic push by the Flames. The goaltender's performance was instrumental in keeping Utah ahead, as he faced significant pressure from Calgary's offense.
As the clock wound down, the Flames pressed hard for a tying goal, even earning a power play opportunity. However, their hopes were dashed when Clayton Keller sealed the game for Utah with an empty-net goal, scoring with just 18 seconds left on the clock. This goal not only secured the victory for Utah but also highlighted the Flames' struggle to capitalize on their chances.
With this loss, Calgary has now dropped three of their last four games, leaving them with a record of 35-27-12 and six points behind the Minnesota Wild for the Western Conference's second wild-card spot. The Flames have eight games remaining in the season, one more than the Wild, making every match crucial as they fight for a playoff berth.
Utah's victory improved their record to 34-29-12, moving them to eight points behind the Wild with seven games left on their schedule. The win was a much-needed boost for Utah, who have shown resilience in their recent performances, now sitting at 2-2-1 in their last five outings and 6-4-3 over their last 13 games.
Looking ahead, the Flames will host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in a pivotal matchup that could determine their playoff fate. Meanwhile, Utah will also be in action on the same day, facing off against the Los Angeles Kings.
In a post-game interview, Flames general manager Craig Conroy provided an update on Connor Zary's injury, stating, "I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back this season." Additionally, news broke that Flames college prospect Trevor Hoskin is transferring to Merrimack, indicating ongoing changes within the Flames organization as they navigate the challenges of the current season.
As the Flames regroup and prepare for their next contest, they must find a way to recapture the momentum that has eluded them in recent games. With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, every moment counts in the final stretch of the regular season.
