For the first time in two months, Connor Ingram’s name was announced over the loudspeaker at Delta Center for Utah Hockey Club’s starting lineup.
The goaltender received a resounding applause from the crowd and continued to put up 30 saves in Utah’s 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders Saturday night. Ingram was one of his team’s best players despite the result.
“He was really, really good,” head coach André Tourigny said. “All game long he was solid, made key saves. He’s for sure one of the bright sides of the game.”
Ingram returned to the net for the first time since Nov. 18 against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old played 13 games for Utah before his time off and posted a 3.61 goals against average and .871 save percentage.
Ingram was assigned to the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners on a conditioning loan on Dec. 31 and played one game with the team — in which he made 29 saves and earned the win — before returning to Salt Lake City. His first skate with The Club was Friday after being recalled; Jaxson Stauber was accordingly sent back to Tucson.
Ingram was initially said to be sidelined with an upper-body injury, but he revealed Friday morning that his absence was due to his mother, Joni, passing away.
“At the end of November, I asked for time off. My mom was really sick and then my mom passed away Dec. 3. I was at home until the 13th, 14th,” Ingram said. “I took time off to grieve. I wasn’t handling it well. That’s why I was gone.”
The netminder said Utah Hockey Club gave him the time and support he needed to return when he felt ready.
“From the time I left, I don’t think anyone around here really knew what I was going through. I kept it pretty close to the chest,” he said. “The team donated a bunch of money and things like that to our small town ambulance and the cancer center in Saskatoon. Everyone around here has been fantastic.”
The Saskatoon native held Utah in the game Saturday through a sluggish first period. Ingram was strong and steady as the Islanders unleashed 14 shots on goal to The Club’s five. It allowed Utah to better find its stride in the middle frame.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Connor Ingram (39) during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024.
“Felt good. It was a long couple of months off there so it felt good to be back out there,” Ingram said. “Coming off this, there wasn’t really much to put back together, it was just getting back into game shape.”
Nick Schmaltz gave his team a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the second period. The forward tipped in Michael Kesselring’s blast from the point for his eighth goal of the season and second in the last two games. Logan Cooley — who is now centering the first line between Schmaltz and Clayton Keller — picked up his 25th assist of the year on the play.
Schmaltz’s tally turned out to be Utah’s only goal of the night, marking the second time in three games the team has scored just once.
“It’s a results-driven business so it’s frustrating at times when pucks aren’t going in,” Schmaltz said. “We’ve got to find ways to generate more. Playing well defensively, but it’s tough to win a lot of nights when you’re scoring one or two goals.”
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club forward Nick Schmaltz (8) as Utah Hockey Club hosts the Los Angeles Kings, NHL pre-season hockey in Salt Lake City on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
The Islanders found the 1-1 equalizer early in the third period. An uncovered Brock Nelson got the puck by the right doorstep from Anders Lee and one-timed it home at 3:36.
An interference call on Lee at 13:32 of the third put The Club on an all-important power play, but it could not capitalize and snatch the lead. Cooley had a lasered one-timer from the right circle while on the man advantage. It went wide and the contest remained tied.
“Not enough,” Tourigny said of Utah’s offensive looks. “I think we’re trying to create the perfect chance.”
Mathew Barzal potted the game-winning goal for the Islanders with 1:25 left in regulation. With bodies surrounding the Utah net, Barzal found the loose puck and snapped it through for the final 2-1 scoreline.
“Another tight game. It’s frustrating obviously to give up one late like that,” Schmaltz said. “Guys are trying. Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t have to work through it.”
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) in NHL action between the Utah Hockey Club and the San Jose Sharks, at the Delta Center, on Friday, Jan 10, 2025.
Utah pulled Ingram with just over a minute on the clock for the extra player, but — as has happened consistently this season — could not find a tying goal while skating 6-on-5.
Goaltending has rarely been the problem for The Club this season and it again was not on Saturday. Ingram kept his team competitive through lulls in the night. The next goal just never came.
“Obviously terrible news that he was dealing with. We were supporting him the whole time, giving him as much time as he needs,” Schmaltz said. “Obviously it’s a terrible tragedy. …He’s a great guy and he deserved a win tonight the way he played.”
