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Utah Mammoth News

Vanecek will start on Thursday in Chicago.

Through three games this season, the Sharks have alternated between Vanecek and Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes, a trend that will continue on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks when Vanecek occupies the crease. Despite a 2-0 losing effort, Vanecek was terrific in his only start this season, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) against the Anaheim Ducks. The Sharks enter action on Thursday as +163 road underdogs against a Blackhawks club that has only scored nine times in their first four games (1-2-1).

Vitek Vanecek
Peterka (concussion) will return on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Peterka has missed two straight games due to a concussion but has been practicing with the team for a week and will return to the lineup on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Peterka broke out last season with 50 points (28G / 22A) in 82 games. He is expected to suit up on the Sabres' top line with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

JJ Peterka
Durzi (upper-body) will be out for the foreseeable future and is without a timetable to return.

Durzi played only 9:09 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old defenseman was off to a strong start to the season, with two points (0G / 2A), 11 blocks, and seven penalty minutes in three games.

Sean Durzi
Durzi (upper-body) left Monday's game vs. New Jersey and will not return.

Durzi played only 9:09 time-on-ice before exiting Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils with an upper-body injury. The 26-year-old defenseman was off to a strong start to the season, with two points (0G / 2A), 11 blocks, and seven penalty minutes in three games.

Sean Durzi
Peterka (concussion) has a 50/50 chance of return to Buffalo's lineup on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Peterka has missed two straight games due to a concussion but has been practicing with the team for nearly a week and could return to the lineup on Wednesday. The 22-year-old Peterka broke out last season with 50 points (28G / 22A) in 82 games.

JJ Peterka
O'Brien will draw back into Utah's lineup on Monday in New Jersey.

Michael Carcone will be a healthy scratch on Monday afternoon, allowing O'Brien to draw back into the lineup to draw back into the lineup. The hard-hitting O'Brien has not played since Utah's season opener, when he tallied one shot and seven hits in 10:30 time-on-ice.

Liam O'Brien
Vejmelka will start on Monday in New Jersey.

The Utah Hockey Club will turn to Vejmelka for his first start of the season on Monday afternoon against the New Jersey Devils. Vejmelka has showcased stints of elite netminding but has been largely inconsistent. In his first three seasons, the Czech goalie has posted a 3.50 GAA, .898 SV%, and five shutouts. Utah HC is sporting an undefeated 3-0-0 record early this season but is a +141 road underdog against the offensively potent Devils.

Karel Vejmelka