Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
- Maveric Lamoureux scored his first NHL goal in Utah's win over Calgary.
- The goal boosted Utah's lead to 3-1 and marked Lamoureux's growing comfort in the NHL.
- Coach Tourigny emphasized Lamoureux's need for consistency to secure his NHL role.
SALT LAKE CITY — Sorry Flames, he had to buzz the tower … eh, frame.
Kevin Stenlund backhanded a pass out to the blue line where Maveric Lamoureux had missile lock. He had the shot. It looked good. So he took it.
Scratch three!
With that goal, the Utah Hockey Club went up 3-1 in their eventual four-goal victory over Calgary. Maybe more importantly, it was the first NHL goal for the man they call Mav.
"It was amazing, it felt like it was just going in slowly," said Lamoureux (apparently, he had the need for speed — sorry, I can't say when or even if these will end), "But I just saw the light go on. I just was really happy when I saw it go in."
As was his coach.
But no offense to Lamoureux, it could have been any player doing the scoring at the moment and he would have likely had the same reaction.
See, a mere 17 seconds before Lamoureux lit the lamp, Calgary cut Utah's lead to 2-1. With what happened the last time Utah was on the ice, André Tourigny didn't want his team to be on the highway to the danger zone (OK, we may be forcing them now).
"That was great. But the timing of it, it could have been anybody and I was really happy," Tourigny said.
Lawson Crouse made a beeline to the referee after the goal to retrieve the puck, making sure Lamoureux would get his prized memento. He doesn't know where he'll put it yet. For now, it'll just be at his hotel room — a reminder that the 20-year-old defenseman's time in the NHL isn't yet permanent.
Wednesday's game was, after all, just his fourth game in the league, and there's no guarantee how long his time will last.
However, new teammate Olli Määttä could have sworn it had been longer.
"First of all, I think that's always a great feeling, just to see the smile on his face when he got that, but I actually had no idea it was his first goal, I thought he's been in the league for a while," he said.
Hey, Lamoureux's facial hair does make him look slightly older.
With Utah playing seven defensemen in the win, Lamoureux and Määttä had some ice time together and demonstrated a natural chemistry.
"I liked playing with him. I feel like we had a good connection out there today. So I'll see if I'm gonna be with him," Lamoureux said.
Sounds like Määttä can be his wingman anytime (and we're back!).
The goal was reflective of Lamoureux's growing comfort level playing in the NHL.
It's been a quick promotion for the young prospect. He went from having two shoulder surgeries to playing in just a few games in the AHL and suddenly having a decent-sized role with the big club. In Wednesday's win, Lamoureux had the fourth most ice time of Utah's seven defensemen.
"I feel like I started kind of stressed, and my confidence wasn't all there," he said. "That's normal, it's the next level, it's the best level of hockey in the world. But I feel like it's my fourth game now, and I feel like I'm getting used to it, and my confidence is definitely building."
But he knows that if he hits the brakes his opportunity might fly right by (sorry).
"The big thing for Mav will be to stay urgent," Tourigny said. "The NHL is not just being able to play in the NHL. There are a lot of people who can play in the NHL for a week or two. An NHL player is capable of doing it every night, all the time. That's what he has to prove."
His talent has always been obvious. General manager Bill Armstrong even remembers an exhibition game during the 2023 preseason when a scout sincerely asked him if Lamoureux was going to make the team. He showed then he was dangerous (yup, this is still intentional); now, it's about finding consistency.
That's what he wants to show in time, but on Wednesday he made sure to savor the moment.
"Especially scoring here with all the fans, that was loud. It was something I dreamed of and was definitely special," he said beaming.
On Wednesday, that smile was the only look he got (we're sequel fans, too!), but his teammates all seemed to like it.
"That's the best feeling ever," Clayton Keller said. "That's what you dream about. We are all super excited for him. He's such a great kid, and it's great having him around."
