Utah Hockey Club News

Vejmelka will start in Florida on Friday.

After a disastrous performance in yesterday's 8-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing four goals on 11 shots (.636 SV%), Vejmelka will return to the crease on Friday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled since the beginning of March, posting an ugly 3.21 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games (5-5-2). He has a 2.62 GAA and .902 SV% in 49 games this season (21-20-6). Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +210 road underdogs against a Panthers team that will welcome newcomer Brad Marchand into the lineup for his team debut.

Karel Vejmelka
Maccelli will be a healthy scratch in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Nick Bjugstad will draw back into Utah's lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending Maccelli to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Maccelli is averaging 13:44 time-on-ice and has 18 points (8G / 10A) in 55 games this season. He had 57 points (17G / 40A) in 82 games last season.

Matias Maccelli
Vejmelka will start in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Utah HC is coming off a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, where Vejmelka allowed four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%), but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.56 GAA and .904 SV% in 48 games this season. Utah enters the action on Thursday as +170 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay team coming off a dominant 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka will start vs. Detroit on Monday.

Utah HC is riding a two-game winning streak and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%), but received ample goal support in a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has a 2.53 GAA and .907 SV% in 47 games this season (21-18-6). Utah HC enters Monday's contest as -160 home favorites against a struggling Red Wings team outscored 10-4 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice at Utah's morning skate.

Utah HC is riding a two-game winning streak and will likely roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old Vejmelka struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 26 shots (.846 SV%), but received ample goal support in a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has a 2.53 GAA and .907 SV% in 47 games this season (21-18-6). Utah HC enters Monday's contest as -160 home favorites against a struggling Red Wings team outscored 10-4 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka will start against the Sabres on Thursday.

Utah HC is coming off a disappointing 7-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, where Vejmelka was pulled after allowing three goals on 15 shots (.800 SV%). Still, he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in 45 appearances this season (19-18-6). Utah enters Thursday's contest as -171 home favorites against a Sabres team riding a two-game winning streak.

Karel Vejmelka
Bjugstad is expected to be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. Buffalo.

Matias Maccelli will draw back into Utah's lineup for the first time since February 8th, resulting in Bjugstad being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Bjugstad is averaging 12:29 time-on-ice and has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 55 games this season.

Nick Bjugstad