Barrett Hayton scores twice, Karel Vejmelka earns first shutout of season as Utah Hockey Club beats Minnesota, 4-0, for third straight win

Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves for his first shutout of the season, Barrett Hayton scored twice and Utah beat the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Thursday night for its third straight victory.

At first glance, the Utah Hockey Club played a perfect game on Thursday. But the stats suggest there was lots of room for improvement.

Utah entered Minnesota with plenty of momentum after playing a complete game in its 5-2 win over Winnipeg. Scoring a goal in just 1:46, Utah came out fast and never looked back.

McBain is a natural center but has been used on the left wing this season. Nick Bjugstad has occupied the pivot position on the third line for most of the season but was moved to play with Liam O’Brien and Kevin Stenlund on the fourth line in which Stenlund is the center.

Third Period_4, Utah, Hayton 11 (DeSimone), 1:48. Shots on Goal_Utah 15-3-11_29. Minnesota 5-12-9_26. Power-play opportunities_Utah 1 of 2; Minnesota 0 of 3.

Abbi Ryssman works on her balance beam routine during practice at Flips Gymnastics in White Bear Lake. Ryssman is considered one of the best teen gymnasts in the country. While she attends Century High School in Rochester,

Penalties_Kesselring, UTA (Tripping), 16:36. Shots on Goal_Utah 15-3-11_29. Minnesota 5-12-9_26. Power-play opportunities_Utah 1 of 2; Minnesota 0 of 3. Goalies_Utah, Vejmelka 11-13-3 (26 shots-26 ...

The teams meet Thursday for the first of four times this season. When Utah last played, seven players sat out.

Below are the most notable NBA players born on Dec. 31.

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) reacts to a foul call as the Utah Jazz host the Miami Heat, NBA basketball in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. I feel for sports fans in Utah in 2025, at least along one line of thinking.