The Utah Hockey Club kicked off its inaugural season with great fanfare, facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on October 8, 2024. The excitement was palpable as left wing Liam O’Brien greeted fans with high fives ahead of the historic game.
Despite unusually warm weather for October, the atmosphere inside the Delta Center was festive, complete with virtual snowfall. Just 173 days after Ryan and Ashley Smith relocated the Arizona Coyotes to Utah, the team played its first regular season match, drawing a sell-out crowd of 16,020, eager to witness a new chapter in Utah’s sports landscape.
The pre-game festivities began in the plaza, where fans celebrated the arrival of their new team. ESPN’s coverage heightened the thrill of the opening night, showcasing the event to a national audience.
The game began with a roaring crowd, and excitement reached a peak just under five minutes in when Dylan Guenther scored the Utah Hockey Club’s first-ever goal. Clayton Keller followed up shortly after, further electrifying the fans. The home team kept the momentum, with Barrett Hayton scoring again, but Chicago’s efforts to close the gap in the second and third periods made for a tense finish.
In the closing moments of the game, Guenther sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, leading to a final score of 5-2 in favor of Utah. The team’s first win was a cause for celebration, with fans reveling in their new identity as hockey supporters.
Players, including O’Brien, quickly endeared themselves to fans. The arena thrummed with chants and cheers as supporters rallied around their team. Attendance wasn’t limited to hockey aficionados; local personalities also joined in, with Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen participating in the ceremonial puck drop.
As the night progressed, fans celebrated in the plaza and inside the arena, showcasing the community’s embrace of the sport. Many in attendance were decked out in Utah Hockey Club gear, a testament to their investment in this new sports venture. The franchise’s presence is anticipated to foster a strong home base of fans, bolstering the expansion of hockey culture in Utah.
Overall, the inaugural game not only marked a milestone for the Utah Hockey Club but also illustrated the fans’ excitement and readiness to embrace professional hockey in their state.