Vejmelka has 49 saves as Utah Hockey Club tops Stanley Cup contender Carolina

SALT LAKE CITY — Let go of the usual stoic Karel Vejmelka.

The Utah Hockey Club goaltender skated onto the Delta Center ice to the roar of the crowd and even joined in. He raised his fists and shouted back in celebration.

After what he did on Wednesday, he can celebrate all he wants.

Wejmelka made 49 of 50 saves and helped kill 25 penalty minutes, including 10 alone in the third period, to lead Utah to a 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Against one of the best offenses in the league, Vejmelka stood on his head, leading Utah to a surprising victory over a Stanley Cup contender.

By the end of the grand performance, the Delta Center had him roaring with chants of “Veggie. Veggie. Veggie.”

“It's unreal,” he said. “It's definitely a moment to remember. It's a night to remember for me and everybody. It's a big game for us.”

Utah had lost seven of their last nine games and was not expected to have a proper game against Carolina. The Hurricanes had a top-five offense and defense and were one of the early favorites to make a deep run in the playoffs.

Thanks to Vajmelka, the hockey club managed to achieve an unlikely victory.

“In those games with a lot of shots, I feel really, really good,” he said. “It's easier to play than when I only have 10 shots, so it's different and I'm more tired now.”

Hope he gets a good rest. And maybe he'll get some more ice time.

Carolina beat Utah 50-21. Utah had 25 penalty minutes to the Hurricanes' two. Carolina won more faceoffs, converted on a power play and dominated large portions of the game.

Still, Utah won.

“Unbelievable. We thank him. He had an amazing night,” said two-goal forward Nick Bjugstad.

Vejmelka was a man under fire as Carolina's potent offense fired shot after shot his way. He faced 15 more shots in the first period and 17 more in the second period. His heroics went into the third with the game tied 1-1 — but he was just getting started.

And in the final frame, Vejmelka got something he's been waiting for in each of his five games this season: some goal support.

In a span of two and a half minutes, Utah scored three goals (and overturned another) to give the Hockey Club the win.

Michael Kesseling started things off with a quick run towards goal. He split the Carolina defense and pulled a man to him before making a pass to Jack McBain that gave Utah a 2-1 lead.

After Lawson Cross' slapshot goal was ruled not to have fully crossed the goal line, Mikhail Sergachev's laser from Rister gave the hockey club a 3-1 advantage.

Bjugstad completed the barrage when he scored for his second tally of the game and suddenly Utah had a three-goal advantage.

It didn't matter that Carolina dominated most of the shot attempts; Utah controlled the game.

“I don't know,” Bjugstad said when asked what led to the crime. “They were getting into their zone. We were kind of moving the lines … The guys really stepped up tonight. Most importantly, Veggie.”

And Vejmelka had another chance to take the bow and arrow.

Utah forward Michael Carcone was sent off the ice after inciting a fight, a two-minute instigation penalty and a five-minute fighting game misconduct, leading to a seven-minute power play for the Hurricanes, which was extended after Maverick Lamoureux. Called for hooking during that run.

In all, Utah was on the penalty kill for nearly nine minutes (which included a portion of 5-on-3 hockey). Vejmelka still put everything out of the net.

“I just tried to focus on the second shot, just helping my team so they don't get a goal,” he said. “So it was the same mindset all night.”

It certainly worked and it was a career night for the goaltender.

“Definitely one of the best games,” he said when asked if it was the best game he's ever played. “Probably the best.”