Liam O’Brien, the left winger for the newly established Utah Hockey Club, celebrated with enthusiastic fans as he arrived at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City for the team’s inaugural game against the Chicago Blackhawks on October 8, 2024.
The opening game of the Utah Hockey Club, just 173 days after Ryan and Ashley Smith relocated the Arizona Coyotes to Utah, kicked off amid lively festivities in unseasonably warm October weather. The night featured electronic snow and an exciting atmosphere as NHL fans in Utah embraced their new team.
A packed crowd of 16,020, including nearly 5,000 attendees with an obstructed view, witnessed history as the team marked its entry into the NHL. The festivities began on the plaza in the late afternoon and continued into the evening, culminating in an 8 p.m. start aired on ESPN.
Fans were treated to a thrilling game, with Utah ultimately defeating Chicago 5-2. Cheers erupted throughout the arena as the club made its mark with multiple goals and dynamic plays, especially during special moments such as the ceremonial puck drop by Ashley and Ryan Smith.
After the opening video presentation ignited excitement, the crowd responded immediately with a chant of “Let’s go, Utah.” The first goal for the franchise came just under five minutes into the game, courtesy of right wing Dylan Guenther, which sent the audience into a frenzy. Moments later, captain Clayton Keller added another goal, further energizing the supportive crowd.
The game continued to build in intensity with players like O’Brien, who engaged with the fans and contributed to the team’s fervent atmosphere. Despite a couple of Chicago goals that brought tension in the latter stages, both an empty net goal from Guenther and a late tally from Lawson Crouse sealed the victory for Utah.
Post-game enthusiasm spilled into the plaza, where fans eagerly lined up to purchase team merchandise. Players expressed appreciation for the strong support, noting how pivotal a robust home crowd can be for their success.
The evenings leading up to the game included celebrations, with many fans showing their loyalty by donning Utah Hockey Club gear and various NHL jerseys. As the evening wrapped up, the community spirit and excitement for hockey in Utah were palpable, with hopes high for a long and successful tenure for the new franchise.