Any performance Utah had against Florida was bound to be better, considering it had just suffered its worst loss in franchise history the night before—a brutal 8-0 defeat against Tampa.
Any performance Utah had against Florida was bound to be better, considering it had just suffered its worst loss in franchise history the night before—a brutal 8-0 defeat against Tampa.
But forcing overtime less than 24 hours later against the reigning champs was quite the response from a team coming off such a loss.
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“The way we were engaged—I think the boys were into it,” said head coach André Tourigny. “They were fighting and emotionally engaged in the game. We were really detailed and disciplined. We stuck together.”
Though Utah’s energy was much higher and its defensive effort stifled the Panthers to just one regulation goal, it was ultimately Utah’s lack of offense that would cost them the game in overtime.
Just as Utah’s Logan Cooley was in prime position to take a shot after turning the corner, he decided to pass the puck toward Keller, who was closer to the net.
But the pass couldn’t get through heavy traffic, as it was stolen by Gustav Forsling, marking the last time Utah had possession on offense.
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Though Durzi would made a couple of great defensive plays as Utah’s only player back, blocking two shots and preventing a pass in front of the net to give both Keller and Cooley time to get back on defense, Florida still would manage to score the game-winning goal
As Sam Bennett received a pass, Keller was too far behind to contest the shot—having made a play on the puck just a second earlier—allowing Bennett to much space and ultimately take the lead and win with a goal.
“The belief in the room going forward hasn’t wavered,” said Sean Durzi. “The staff gives us confidence to go out there and play our game. We just have to execute.”
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Utah managed only 14 shots on goal throughout the entire game, with none coming in overtime. In fact, Sean Durzi was the only Utah player to register a shot attempt due to Utah’s struggle to maintain possession in overtime.
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Still, Utah’s defense kept the team alive for most of overtime, relying on key saves from goalie Karel Vejmelka and defensive pressure to disrupt Florida’s shot attempts. However, after Cooley’s pass was stolen, the defense had to rush back and was never able to properly set up as intended.
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While Durzi’s play in overtime wasn’t enough to secure a win, his goal during a four-on-four situation ensured Utah reached overtime and earned a point in the standings.
Though offensive opportunities were rare, Utah’s Barrett Hayton recovered the puck in the middle of the ice after teammate Josh Doan forced Forsling to lose control.
With Hayton immediately turning on the jets, Utah found itself in a 2-on-1 opportunity as Durzi joined the rush. As Florida’s defense converged on Hayton, he perfectly placed a pass to Durzi, who fired the puck past Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
But while the goal was a positive moment, Utah must still be frustrated with its offensive production, managing only 14 shots on goal despite having four power plays.
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After all, Florida scoring its first goal on its first power play and managing 32 shots on goal wouldn’t have hurt as much if Utah had been able to capitalize on any of its power plays.
But while Utah didn’t allow the Panthers to score another power play goal, successfully killing the other five power plays Florida had, its lack of production on its own power plays proved to be the difference.
Still, coming away with a point in the standings was important for Utah as it chases the blazing-hot St. Louis Blues, but time is running out for Utah to secure a win.
Utah will have the chance to play a struggling Chicago Blackhawks team that has only won one of its last ten games. However, even a game against Chicago could prove tricky for Utah, as it lost in overtime the last time it faced the Blackhawks.
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But with the game against the Blackhawks being the last road game before Utah returns home for a five-game homestand, if Utah can win this road game, it can go home still holding hope for its playoff chances.
As a member of the Florida Panthers’ championship team, Kevin Stenlund finally received his championship ring from the team.
Along with that, he was greeted with applause from the crowd and a tribute from the team.
Coincidentally, this is the second Utah player to receive a tribute on this road trip, with Mikhail Sergachev returning to Tampa for the first time since being traded to Utah. He, too, had won a championship with that team.
Source: Utah News