Utah Hockey Club News

For the seventh time in the last eight games, Utah HC will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes. Vejmelka has been thrust into a starting role due to the injury of Connor Ingram (upper body) and has not disappointed. The 28-year-old Vejmelka boasts a terrific 2.25 GAA and .922 SV% in 11 games this season (3-6-0). He has allowed three or fewer goals in eight straight appearances (3-4-0), posting a superb .933 SV%. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Edmonton Oilers club coming off an impressive 6-2 win over the New York Rangers.

With Connor Ingram (upper body) sidelined, Vejmelka has been thrust into the spotlight for Utah HC and has been admirable between the pipes lately. The Czech netminder boasts a stellar 2.30 GAA and .926 SV% in 10 appearances (2-6-0). In his previous three outings (1-2-0), Vejmelka has a .947 SV%, arguably showcasing the most consistent goaltending of his four-year NHL career. Utah HC enters Tuesday's contest as -125 road favorites against a Montreal Canadiens club that ranks in the bottom half of the league offensively.

Valimaki was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Robert Bortuzzo will enter the lineup in his place.

Bortuzzo re-enters the lineup in place of Juuso Valimaki, who was a late scratch for Thursday's game in Boston. Bortuzzo is yet to register a point in six games this season.

With Connor Ingram (upper body) day-to-day, Utah HC will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the third time in four games. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been solid in limited action this season, posting a 2.58 GAA and .915 SV% in seven appearances (1-4-0). He has a .931 SV% in his previous four outings (1-2-0). Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as +135 road underdogs against a Boston Bruins club riding a three-game losing skid.

Connor Ingram is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, resulting in Utah HC recalled Stauber from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL). Stauber has a 2.29 GAA and .930 SV% in seven games with Tucson (5-2-0) and will likely serve as the backup to Karel Vejmelka during Ingram's absence.

Ingram was pulled in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Washington Capitals after allowing four goals on 13 shots (.692 SV%). The 27-year-old Ingram, battling an upper-body injury, should not be sidelined for long, but the rest might do him well, as he is sporting an ugly 3.61 GAA and .871 SV% in 13 games (6-4-3). Karel Vejmelka should control Utah HC's crease during Ingram's absence.

DeSimone played 11 games with the Devils last season, scoring two points (1G / 1A), but has primarily been an AHL players, playing only 38 career NHL games since his professional debut in the 2016-17 season. In nine games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, the 29-year-old DeSimone has two points (0G / 2A) and a -10 plus/minus.

For the first time this season, Ingram was the backup in consecutive games, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Ingram has struggled this season despite a serviceable 6-3-3 record, posting an ugly 3.40 GAA and .879 SV%. The Utah Hockey Club enters the action on Monday as slight -107 home favorites against a Capitals club that played yesterday and defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2.

Vejmelka was predominantly the backup to Connor Ingram for the first portion of the season but will start for the third time in five games. Vejmelka was outstanding in his previous outing, earning a second consecutive start, saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Czech netminder improved to a 2.37 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (1-3-0) this season. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +106 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Vejmelka was predominantly the backup to Connor Ingram for the first portion of the season but will likely start for the third time in five games. Vejmelka was outstanding in his previous outing, earning a second consecutive start, saving 49 of 50 shots (.980 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The Czech netminder improved to a 2.37 GAA and .926 SV% in five games (1-3-0) this season. Utah HC enters Friday's contest as +106 home underdogs against the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Utah Hockey Club, losers of three of their last four, will turn to Vejmelka between the pipes for the second time in four games. The 28-year-old Vejmelka has been used sparingly this season, taking a backseat to Connor Ingram, but has been serviceable in limited action, posting a 2.75 GAA and .899 SV% in three appearances (0-3-0). That said, Vejmelka and Utah HC will be challenged on Wednesday in a battle against the Carolina Hurricanes, 9-1-0 in their last 10.