Coming off a 6-2 victory on Saturday night, the Vancouver Canucks turn their attention to the Utah Hockey Club for the second game of a weekend back-to-back.

It’s a big game on the calendar as these two clubs fight for a wild card position in the Western Conference. Utah is coming off a 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken on Friday night and has been in Vancouver preparing for the Canucks since they flew into town on Friday.

Utah sits with 69 points in the standings and is nipping at the heels of the Canucks with under 20 games remaining in the season. They have gone 5-3-2 since the 4 Nations break and have been dangerous over that stretch.

They rank number one in the league in controlling scoring chances at five-on-five since the break. Utah has had 255 scoring chances while giving up 183 over their last 10 games. That gives them a league-leading 58.2% control of on-ice scoring chances.

Quick Hits on the Competition

• Clayton Keller leads Utah with 74 points this season. He is one of the two 20+ goal-scorers for Utah. Keller has 23 goals through 65 games, while Dylan Guenther has 24 through 54 games.

• Keller has a goal and three assists against the Canucks through two games.

• Guenther has been the driving force on the power play, scoring 11 goals on the man-advantage. He also leads the team with eight game-winning goals.

• On defence, Mikhail Sergachev is averaging 25:25 of ice time per game. The 26-year-old has 11 goals and 32 assists this season.

• Utah’s power play is tied for 11th in the league at 23.4%, while their penalty kill is 13th with an 80.6% kill rate.

• Kevin Stenlund is one of the league’s top players in the faceoff dot. He has won 58.9% of his draws this season.

• Jack McBain is 7th in the league for hits with 228 through 66 games.

• Karel Vejmelka has started 40 of Utah’s 69 games this season. He has a 18-17-6 record with a .908% save percentage, a 2.49 goals-against average, and has one shutout on the season.

The Story: Preparing for Night Two of a Back-to-Back

Elias Pettersson spoke about learning from their mistakes on Saturday night and wanting to continue scoring goals on Sunday in a big game for the standings.

Head Coach Rick Tocchet liked that the ice time was quite balanced on Saturday night and believes that can help his team with the second game of the back-to-back. He spoke about how the team is turning the page immediately after Saturday’s game and is already focused on Utah.

“You got to treat every game like a playoff game,” said Tocchet. “They’re delicious off the rush, and we know it’s a quick turnover. We got to really dial in on how we’re going to defend that rush because if we can defend the rush, we’ll be okay.”

Canucks’ Top Performers over the Last Five Games

Elias Pettersson: 4g-2a-6p
Filip Hronek: 1g-5a-6p
Pius Suter: 2g-2a-4p
Conor Garland: 1g-3a-4p
Nils Höglander: 0g-4a-4p

When and Where to Watch

Sunday’s game is a 5:00 p.m. PT start, and you can watch it on Sportsnet or listen along to the radio call with Brendan Batchelor on Sportsnet 650 and the Sportsnet Radio Network.

• On a winter trip, I explored Salt Lake City, Park City, and surrounding suburbs in Utah.
• It was my first time visiting the area, and I regretted booking my trip during peak season.
• I made other mistakes, like packing too light and missing out on winter activities.

In January, I flew from my home in NYC to Denver and hopped on a 15-hour Amtrak train to Utah’s Silicon Slopes — a tech hub lining the Wasatch Front that includes Salt Lake City, Park City, and the surrounding suburbs.

I spent three days exploring the luxurious wealth enclave amid ski season and made four mistakes I’m still mulling over two months later.

A few weeks after Utah Tech Week, I am still thinking about how quickly it has become one of the most important events for entrepreneurs and startups in the state. More than just a conference, this annual gathering is a catalyst for innovation, providing founders, startups, investors and industry leaders with the tools, connections and insights needed to take their businesses to the next level. At the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), we are impressed and proud of the way that Utah Tech Week solidifies Utah as the top startup state and fuels the next generation of entrepreneurs.

A hub for startup success

Utah’s startup ecosystem has been growing at an incredible pace, and Utah Tech Week plays a vital role in accelerating that momentum. From keynote speeches by industry veterans to panel discussions on emerging trends, the event offers invaluable knowledge-sharing opportunities. Entrepreneurs have access to the latest insights on fundraising, product development and scaling strategies, all tailored to the unique challenges and advantages of doing business in Utah.

One standout event during Utah Tech Week is the pitch competition, proudly sponsored by Startup State Initiative and GOEO, which has gained recognition as a financial launchpad for promising startups. This year’s competition showcased groundbreaking ideas, with participants securing significant attention from investors, both locally and from across the country. Winning startups, like this year’s winner, Spencer Taylor at Medicaidsoft, see immediate traction, securing new investment and positioning themselves for rapid growth.

A launchpad for connections

One of the most powerful aspects of Utah Tech Week is its ability to bring together like-minded individuals who are passionate about innovation. Whether it’s through structured networking events, pitch competitions or informal meetups, attendees have the chance to connect with potential co-founders, investors and mentors who can help shape their entrepreneurial journey.

The event also helps foster relationships between early-stage startups and venture capitalists eager to invest in Utah’s growing market. Access to capital is a crucial factor in a startup’s success, and Utah Tech Week serves as a bridge between groundbreaking ideas and the funding needed to bring them to life. Investors from both coasts have increasingly recognized the value of Utah’s ecosystem, making the event a key moment for deal-making and strategic growth. At this year’s events, over 200 venture capitalists were in attendance, with at least 90 coming from out of state. With increasing national attention on Utah Tech Week comes more opportunities for local startups and entrepreneurs to build the connections they need for success.

Showcasing Utah’s entrepreneurial spirit

Utah Tech Week not only benefits those attending but also helps showcase Utah’s thriving business environment on a national stage. The event highlights success stories of startups that have grown into major players, reinforcing Utah’s reputation as a state that welcomes and supports entrepreneurs.

Each of the events during the week highlights the state’s startup progress and actively contributes to it. The event energizes the local startup scene, helping founders gain exposure, build critical relationships and attract investors. The excitement and engagement from the pitch competition exemplify the momentum Utah’s startup ecosystem is generating — momentum that is likely to keep growing as more entrepreneurs and investors recognize the potential here.

Trent Mano, co-founder of Utah Tech Week and a key figure in Utah’s startup community, says it best: “Utah Tech Week is unique because it’s made by Utah’s startup scene for the startup scene. It’s a grassroots celebration with over 250 free-to-attend and free-to-host events for our whole community. There’s no barriers to entry, and everyone can find something that is beneficial to them, regardless of where they’re at in their career.”

Emphasizing his point, Mano feels Utah’s startup community “is collaborative and welcoming, and Utah Tech Week is a vibrant week of connecting, building and launching.”

With a combination of thought leadership, mentorship and community-driven support, Utah Tech Week is proving that startup success isn’t confined to traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. For anyone looking to launch, fund or grow a business, Utah Tech Week is a valuable stop on the entrepreneurial journey.

While we wait for next year’s Utah Tech Week, there are still many resources in Utah that can propel startups to the next level. Each month, the Startup State Initiative will be holding Get Started: A Business Idea Challenge to help founders get funding to start or advance their businesses. For more resources on starting your own business, visit startup.utah.gov.