Why the Utah Hockey Club embraced getting ‘dirty’ in first home game

Liam O’Brien is no stranger to hyping up a crowd.

The Utah Hockey Club forward had the Delta Center chanting his nickname, “Spicy Tuna,” when the team first arrived for its welcome party in April.

And he had his new building rocking Monday night after taking down Los Angeles King Jeff Malott in a spirited first-period fight.

After getting off to a sloppy start in its first preseason game at the Delta Center, Utah’s special teams and gritty flair took control, resulting in a 3-2 overtime win. It was O’Brien’s bout, though, that seemed to get things going early on.

“That’s [O’Brien], he’s ready every day,” head coach André Tourigny said. “There is no day where he is off. Whatever the team needs.”

LA’s Jack Studnicka had collided with Utah’s goaltender Connor Ingram and O’Brien took exception to that. So, he fought Malott in front of a rowdy — but appreciative — Delta Center audience.

“I just wanted to make sure that it slowed down a little bit. I want guys healthy, especially our goaltender,” O’Brien said. “I think everybody is expected to be physical in their own way. I think my role is different than other guys. But definitely finishing our hits and sticking up for our teammates is a big part of who we are in here.”

Throughout training camp, the team has talked about being hard to compete against and leaning into the “dirty” parts of the game. Utah played to that identity in its debut on home ice.

Utah forward Travis Barron dropped the gloves with Studnicka shortly after O’Brien did.

Then forward Lawson Crouse scored the first Utah Hockey Club goal at the Delta Center while his team was on the power play. Crouse skated on the second unit with Sean Durzi, Matias Maccelli, Kevin Stenlund and Alex Kerfoot. Durzi released a shot from the right circle which Crouse tipped in front for the 1-0 lead at 15:04 of the first period.

“It’s just about doing your homework and knowing where the holes are going to be. I felt like we did that,” Crouse said. “Obviously a good start for the power play, but some things to improve on.”

Special teams produced once again for Utah less than two minutes later when Kerfoot — who was left uncovered around the crease — knocked the rebound of a Maccelli shot into the net. The 2-0 advantage at 16:46 marked a distinct shift in play from how Utah started the game. It went from slow and disjointed to fiery and opportunistic by the end of 20 minutes.

“It was so electric in there, a lot of energy on the bench. I think we’re all proud and happy to be a part of this,” Crouse said.

Malott got the Kings on the board at 6:17 of the second period to make it 2-1 before Alex Turcotte tied things up while LA was on a 5-on-3 power play at 13:40, which ultimately forced overtime.

“It’s preseason. There’s a lot of rust,” Tourigny said. “There’s a lot of puck decisions that were not perfect, or our battle level in the first period was not probably what we wanted.”

Star forward Clayton Keller — who wore the alternate captain’s “A” with Crouse and Nick Schmaltz on Monday — was the overtime hero, sealing the 3-2 win with a wrister from below the right face-off dot just 19 seconds into the 3-on-3, five-minute period.

Utah Hockey Club will be on the road for its remaining five preseason games. However, Monday gave the team a feel for what playing at the Delta Center will be like this season, and the kind of reception it’ll get for Oct. 8’s home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a crowd that loud in warmups. That was pretty cool,” O’Brien said. “That’s just a taste. Super excited for them to see that home opener. Just look forward to playing in front of that crowd this season.”