Alexander Kerfoot had a goal and two assists to lead the Utah Hockey Club to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks and keep the team within reach of a playoff berth.
The fellas put another one in the net!
— Utah Hockey Club (@utahhockeyclub) March 30, 2025
3-2, Utah! pic.twitter.com/VGPA7E2m3p
The game marked the debut of two of the Blackhawks’ top prospects on Saturday after agreeing to entry-level contracts with forward Oliver Moore and defenseman Sam Rinzel. The pair played for the University of Minnesota this season. The Gophers lost to UMass in overtime in the NCAA tournament Thursday night (March 27).
After a scoreless first period, Utah got the first goal of the game midway through the second period when Nick DeSimone scored his first goal of the season. He was claimed off waivers from the New Jersey Devils on Jan. 5.
Joe Veleno tied the game three minutes later when he flipped a shot past Utah netminder Karel Vejmelka. A few minutes later, Ryan Donato punched in a rebound off a Connor Bedard shot to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 lead.
Shortly after, Mikhail Sergachev tied the game and then assisted on an Alexander Kerfoot goal to give Utah the lead back at 3-2. It was Sergachev’s 14th goal of the season, and he became the seventh defenseman to reach the mark in a franchise’s inaugural season since 1967-68.
John Marino and Lawson Crouse picked up their 100th NHL assist on Sergachev’s goal.
Tyler Yamamoto scored midway through the third period to extend Utah’s lead to 4-2. Yamamoto was recalled from the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Tucson Roadrunners on March 26 and saw his first NHL action on Friday against Florida since Oct. 24.
Vejmelka stopped 29 shots and helped stop all five Blackhawks’ man-advantage opportunities. He previously set a new career best in wins (22) and is on pace for career highs in goals-against average (2.60) and save percentage (.903).
In pursuit of a playoff spot, Utah returns home to open a five-game homestand starting with the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, April 1. During the final home stretch of the season, Utah will face Calgary, the Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Kraken, and Nashville Predators.
