Utah Hockey Club beats Nashville Predators 7-3; Matt Villalta gets first win

Utah Hockey Club beat the Nashville Predators 7-3 Monday night at Bridgestone Arena.

Nashville • Matt Villalta’s grandmother will have a new memento hanging on her wall soon.

It will be a plaque that holds a puck wrapped in white tape on its perimeter. That white tape will be marked with a black Sharpie to read, in short, that Utah Hockey Club beat the Nashville Predators 7-3 on April 14, 2025.

Villalta has given all of his shutout pucks to his grandmother, and now, she gets one that represents his first NHL win.

“Something you dream of when you’re a kid — getting your first game and then eventually winning. Hopefully, it’s the first of many,” said the goaltender who finished the night at Bridgestone Arena with 27 saves. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of it.”

After spending the majority of the year with the Tucson Roadrunners, Villalta was called up to Utah on March 28 to back up Karel Vejmelka.

Villalta committed to that role. Whatever the team needed, he said.

But on Monday, Villalta got his first NHL start in over a year. He took the opportunity with his signature wide smile across his face and backstopped his team to its first win over the Predators.

“On a personal note, it was just be in the moment, live in my shoes and have fun. I think when you’re having fun, that’s when you play your best,” Villalta said. “Soak it all in and keep the puck out of the net.”

Nearing the end of a long NHL season — one that will not include the thrill of playoffs — Villalta’s accolade was energizing for the Utah room, especially for the players who have been around for a while.

Clayton Keller played in his 600th career game and hit a new career-high 89 points with two goals and two assists against the Predators. The captain appreciated the achievement. However, he lit up more when asked about Villalta.

“He’s such a great guy. He’s a guy that puts a smile on your face every time you walk into the locker room,” Keller said. “It’s great to see him get a win. He’s been grinding in practice, doing the extra reps, taking a million breakaways from us in the morning. I’m sure it’s a confidence booster as well.”

Villalta’s crease got action throughout the night but needed extra attention in the second period. It is when Utah Hockey Club caught a break.

Michael Kesselring inched his way toward the penalty box as the Predators prepared for their chance to tie the game in the second period. Utah led 2-1 after the first with goals from Kesslering and Nick Bjugstad. And while Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz produced at the beginning of the middle frame for the 4-1 lift, the Club gave up two goals against which cut its lead to 4-3 with 3:44 on the clock.

Then the game stopped.

An issue with the ice in front of Villalta’s net needed tending to. The maintenance crew scurried over to the divot but could not repair it in a timely manner. So, the teams were sent back to their respective locker rooms for an early intermission.

The remaining 3:44 of the second period was played following the 18-minute break. Utah — now with fresh legs and a clear plan for the penalty kill — held the Predators off on their power play and stopped the comeback momentum from growing too large.

“That was an interesting one. I don’t think I’ve ever had that before,” Villalta said. “I think the message in the room was come back, kill the penalty and get pucks in deep after that.”

It was really pure luck. The hockey gods decided to side with the Club.

“I think it actually helped us just get our bearings together,” head coach André Tourigny said. “We played better after.”

Keller scored his first of two goals at 12:05 of the third period with an in-close shot at 12:05 that hit off a Nashville defenseman and put the game further out of reach. Utah then ran away with it. The captain potted an empty-net goal and Kevin Stenlund followed it up with a tip-in tally at 19:35 to bring the game to its final 7-3 scoreline.

“A lot of distractions,” Keller said. “The ice was very bad tonight. We just kind of stuck with it.”

The team has talked about finishing the season out with pride despite its spot in the standings. There were, however, very few implications for Monday’s game. But having Villalta in net and seeing him throw his arms up after the final buzzer — it meant a little more to everyone.

“A lot of those guys have been there – they all played their first game at some point,” Tourigny said. “When you see a guy like Matt who went in the jungle and fought through adversity, finally gets a chance and gets a win like that – I think it’s great for the group.”