Utah Overcomes Two Disallowed Goals, Wins 6-4 Over Tampa Bay Lightning

Utah has gotten used to close games, whether it's playing in one of its 19 overtime games its had this season, which is tied for the most in the league, or playing in games with only a one-goal lead.

However, in this game, Utah had to play a one-goal lead knowing it could have had two additional goals, if not for two successful challenges from the Lightning.

One of those challenges came on a Clayton Keller goal, which was waved off because teammate Jack McBain created enough contact with Tampa goalie Brandon Halverson, starting his first-ever game for the Lightning, to cancel the goal.

But despite having goals wiped off the board, it was ultimately Utah's defense that won it in this high-scoring affair.

After Tampa's Brayden Point scored the Lightning’s fourth goal with 17:06 remaining in the third period, Utah didn't allow another goal for the rest of the period.

Considering Utah was caught with too many men on the ice for a with only 2:09 remaining in the game, it was particularly impressive that Utah not only held off a power play unit, but also an extra Tampa attacker that came out whenever Halverson was pulled.

But with Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka, playing in a league-high 13th consecutive start, making a couple of late saves, the puck fell to Utah's Alexander Kerfoot, who scored an empty-netter to put Utah up 6-4 and seal the game.

"Yeah, I love it. Right from the start of the game, the focus, the execution, the urgency was elite. I think everybody was engaged. Everybody was connected. We're really disciplined, and in the way we had to play against those guys. Great effort from the boys." 

The empty-net goal was Kerfoot's second of the day, with the other coming after a key moment that saw a goal from Utah's Lawson Crouse erased, followed by some great passing from Tampa, which led to its second goal of the game from Anthony Cirelli.

Originally, Utah's Kevin Stenlund, whose assist on the goal gave him his fifth point in five games, had taken a shot that went wide right of the goal.

But with Utah recovering the puck, it ended up back where Stenlund was. In the exact same spot, Stenlund took another shot, this time aiming for an open Kerfoot standing right in front of the net. This time, Utah would get a point with Kerfoot deflecting the puck in.

Though the Crouse goal was cancelled after a successful Tampa challenge revealed the puck hit the curve of the glass near the benches, having Kerfoot score not long after Tampa's goal was an important response from Utah.

"We’ve been playing a lot of one goal games, this one didn’t feel much different even though there are more goals on the scoreboard," said Kerfoot. "They’re a dangerous team, they got guys who are going to make plays even if you’re in the right spots... I thought we were pressing, the [Cooley] line was great all night... Veggie came up big at the end there and we got the win."

But while Tampa would cut the game to 5-4 in the third period, a goal from Nick Schmaltz would give Utah a two-goal lead that would prove crucial in this back-and-forth offensive affair.

Thanks to Logan Cooley aggressively shooting near the net, the puck remained in play. With the puck not being covered by Halverson in time, Schmaltz capitalized and took a quick shot to score.

With Cooley credited with the assist, it gave him his third point of the day, with the other two coming from goals earlier in the game.

One of those goals came after Cooley deflected the puck off Utah's John Marino in a way that slid right under Halverson's legs.

Considering Cooley had just gone through a six-game stretch without a single point, he has now scored six points in the last four games and has been on a roll.

“It’s always tough when you go through stretches of not playing your best, not producing," said Cooley. "And just overall, I think during that goal it allows you to get some confidence back and get back to your game and what makes me the player I am. It’s one of those things where it seems like it’s going my way right now and you just have to take advantage of it." 

Though Utah's competition, Calgary and St. Louis, pulled out wins today— with the Flames having a late comeback against the Islanders— Utah can take solace in the fact that at least Vancouver lost 5-3.

Utah will have one last game at home against the Detroit Red Wings before going on a three-game road trip, where it will play Tampa Bay for its second time in a week. That game will be on Thursday, March 27.