Utah Hockey Club News

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.

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.

Utah will turn back to Ingram between the pipes on Thursday after Karel Vejmelka got the nod in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ingram's early season struggles continued his last time out as he allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. Thanks to some strong goal support, Ingram has still managed a 5-2-3 record on the season despite an .881 SV% and a 3.57 GAA. Utah enters action as slight favourites tonight in St. Louis at -115.

Utah will likely turn back to Ingram between the pipes on Thursday after Karel Vejmelka got the nod in Winnipeg on Tuesday. Ingram's early season struggles continued his last time out as he allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. Thanks to some strong goal support, Ingram has still managed a 5-2-3 record on the season despite an .881 SV% and a 3.57 GAA. Utah enters action as slight favourites tonight in St. Louis at -115.

Carcone has been limited to only three games this season after a career-high 21 goal 2023-24 season. He has zero points, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 11:19 time-on-ice through three games this season. He will draw in for Robert Bortuzzo on Thursday as Utah HC will revert back to the traditional 12-forward, six-defensemen formation.

Utah HC will revert from the seven-defenseman formation their used in their previous outing, sending Bortuzzo to the press box as a healthy scratch, with Michael Carcone drawing back into the lineup. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo has a -4 plus/minus, zero points, and 11:11 ATOI through six games.