Macklin Celebrini seen here at the San Jose Sharks practice on Sep 19, 2024. Celebrini left during Tue Oct 1, 2024 pre season game against Utah with a lower body injury at SAP Center in San Jose (AP News photo)

By Fernando Abarca

The Sharks added another preseason loss but they did not just lose in the final score.

We are just a week away from the NHL’s 2023 face-off opening week where all the games finally mean something. Tuesday night, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Utah Hockey Club. Utah, a team that has been having a good pre-season so far (4-1), demonstrated that the team could give surprises as the season begins. San Jose could not replicate the same success as last Friday on the road.

The first period began without much news, and in the same way as the game started, it also ended since no team managed to put the puck in the net. San Jose struck by scoring the first goal eight minutes past the start of the second period at 12:33, a play assisted by William Eklund and Andrew Poturalski helped defenseman Matt Denning, to add points to the teal.

The Sharks kept the lead for almost the whole period. However, a powerplay granted to the visitors, Utah’s Sean Durzi brought hope just seconds to finish the period as it concluded with a tie heading on to the second intermission. 

The highlight of the story is the plague of injuries in the league and a plague that various teams are dealing with in this case, Macklin Celebrini, the number one pick and star of the team, was affected by a lower-body injury when trying for a breakaway goal that just did not go right.

Macklin returned for one more shift, but the pain won the battle against his conviction to continue playing, and did not return for the third period.

In the third period, Maklin’s absence was felt, and the San Jose team was unable to maintain a tie or find ways to score goals.

The visiting team took advantage of every indirect advantage, and this is how it happened, demonstrating a change in the dynamics of the game. Utah’s Kailer Yamamoto was the author in giving Utah the two-goal lead at minute 17:38 and 6:23.

It is also worth highlighting the work of Utah’s goaltender, Connor Ingram, who recorded 19 saves, avoiding opportunities for the Sharks to widen the scoresheet.

The Sharks still have two opportunities to refine details, try new ideas, and reinforce the areas that remain to be improved in this game this Friday night against Anaheim.

The Sharks look to get another pre-season victory, and this time at home.

The Sharks are confident that this is the way and that despite the numbers and statistics do not support the result after the games. The Sharks want to be ready and in good shape for the home opener this October 10 against St. Louis.

More updates regarding Macklin Celebrini’s injury will be provided as news becomes available

Continuing coverage will be provided on Sports Radio Service this Friday night when the Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks at SAP Center in San Jose.