Clayton Keller makes his feelings known after a brutal puck to face results in 12 stitches

Clayton Keller played with an injury during the Utah Hockey Club’s 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. Early in the second period, a shot from teammate Michael Kesselring struck Keller in the face. He immediately left for the locker room and needed 12 stitches.

“I’m feeling great.” Keller said, “I was kinda sitting there for like 20 minutes just laying down on my back. When I came back out I just tried to get my legs into it & be simple.”

Despite the injury, Keller returned to the ice after 25 minutes.

“I got lucky, it didn’t catch my eye,” Keller said. “When it happened, it happened so fast you don’t really feel much.”

Keller assisted Olli Maatta’s goal late in the second period, putting Utah ahead. Head coach André Tourigny praised his effort.

“That’s a hockey player, huh?” Tourigny said, per Salt Lake Tribune. “He came back and in his first shift, no hesitation, takes the puck out on entry, went right to the net and got rewarded. Coming back without hesitation, without a doubt in his head, that was great.”

Logan Cooley scored Utah’s second goal, extending his streak to four games. In the third period, Barrett Hayton, Josh Doan and Matias Maccelli contributed goals, helping Utah maintain control. Keller later added an empty-net goal, bringing his season total to 48 points in 45 games.

Clayton Keller has been reliable on offense for the Utah Hockey Club this season. Keller has scored 9 points in the last four games, including a four-point night against the St. Louis Blues. He contributed 30 points in Utah's wins and has a +13 rating. Even in losses, Keller has managed to score 18 points.

Clayton Keller's performance helped Utah Hockey Club secure win against Jets

The Utah Hockey Club defeated the Winnipeg Jets 5-2 at Delta Center on Monday. Olli Maatta scored first at 16:00 of the second period with a shot from the point. Logan Cooley made it 2-0 at 19:42, scoring on a glove-side shot from the neutral zone.

Barrett Hayton extended the lead to 3-0 at 4:53 of the third period with a 2-on-1 play. Mattias Maccelli made it 4-0 at 8:04, scoring into an open net from a Josh Doan pass. Nino Niederreiter and Dylan DeMelo then scored for the Jets, reducing the lead to 4-2.

Clayton Keller scored an empty-net goal at 17:55, securing the 5-2 win for Utah. Utah will face Winnipeg again on Friday as they aim to build on their most recent victory.