Utah Hockey Club cannot seem to figure out the Dallas Stars.
Despite getting closer — Utah lost by one goal to the Stars in their first two matchups and took them to overtime in Saturday’s 3-2 loss at American Airlines Arena — The Club was unable to collect two points against the Central Division opponent.
“I think we closed the gap again. It sounds to be something I say every time we play them. They’re one of the toughest teams to play against in the league this year,” head coach André Tourigny said.
Utah closed its four-game road trip in Dallas and earned three of the eight points available. Beyond the win column, though, the team saw important players start to contribute. On Saturday, it was Matias Maccelli who broke out with two goals.
“It felt good. Obviously it would’ve been much better if we got the win there, too,” Maccelli said. “We still got one point. I think we played a solid road game tonight.”
It had been 23 games since Maccelli saw a puck go off his stick and into the back of the net. The forward’s last goal came on Nov. 7.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston (53) prepares to shoot as Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli (63) defends during the second period of the NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
After missing Thursday’s matchup against the Calgary Flames due to illness, Maccelli returned to the lineup in Dallas and slotted onto the fourth line, left wing in place of Michael Carcone who was a healthy scratch. Liam O’Brien remained on the third line for the third consecutive game.
The switch-up seemingly worked.
“Obviously the line was working tonight and we got rewarded for it,” Maccelli said of skating with Alex Kerfoot and Kevin Stenlund. “Two really smart players so it’s easy to play with them. You know where they’re going to be and what they’re going to do with the puck.”
Maccelli tied the game twice in the second period.
Jamie Benn put the Stars up 1-0 16 seconds into the middle frame after he was left open in the slot. The forward one-timed Wyatt Johnston’s behind-the-net pass past Karel Vejelka for the early advantage but Maccelli was quick to respond.
The 24-year-old’s first goal was potted off the rush to knot things 1-1 at 1:30. Maccelli drove down the left side into the offensive zone and got himself open to knock in Lawson Crouse’s cross-crease pass.
With the primary assist on the play, Crouse logged his third point in two games. The associate captain scored twice against the Flames on Thursday — breaking his own 14-game slump — and helped set up Maccelli for the same type of performance.
“Just to see him, the way he played. He had energy, he moved the puck quick, he made good decisions with the puck, he was intense on his battles, recovered loose pucks,” Tourigny said of Maccelli. “Did a lot of good stuff on the ice other than his two goals.”
Oskar Bäck regained Dallas’ lead at 10:30. With bodies in front of the Utah net, Bäck deflected the puck off of Crouse’s skate to make it 2-1. And then, Maccelli struck again.
This time, it was a no-look, wrap-around from the left doorstep that got Maccelli on the scoresheet. He picked up the loose puck from Alex Kerfoot’s attempted shot and buried it for his fifth goal and 12th point of the season.
Maccelli finished the 2023-24 campaign with 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists). The hope is that a showing like Saturday’s can spark his confidence and result in a consistency from Maccelli who the organization believes can turn into a legitimate goal-scorer for Utah.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club forward Matias Maccelli (63) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
“When you don’t score for a while you start thinking what can I do different, what can I do better,” Maccelli said. “That’s kind of one of the things I have been focussing on.”
Utah had an opportunity to take a third-period lead when Roope Hintz took a tripping penalty at 8:29, but it could not convert on the power play. For the first time this season, though, The Club did not take a single penalty through 60-plus minutes of play. The fewest number of penalty minutes Utah had held itself to in a game prior to Saturday is four.
The teams remained tied at the end of regulation and headed to overtime in which Thomas Harley scored the 3-2, game-winning goal at 3:01. Utah was pinned in its zone and the Stars took advantage of it as Harley powered straight to the net and lifted the puck home.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) vies for the puck with Dallas Stars left wing Mason Marchment (27) and center Matt Duchene (95) during the third period of the NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
“It’s a tough team to play on the other side. Every time you play them they find a way to break through and create offense,” Tourigny said.
Utah and the Stars will meet for a fourth and final time at the end of the regular season on April 12 in Dallas in a matchup that could have heavy playoff implications for The Club.
“They’re a fast team, especially off the rush,” Maccelli said. “Just have to stay above them and keep it more simple than maybe against some other teams. I think this was our best game against them so far.”
Note to readers • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.
