DENVER — Dylan Guenther was inches away from history.
Guenther’s wrap-around attempt in the third period slid down the goal line and stayed out of the net; that’s how close he was to getting the franchise’s first hat trick.
“That one stings a little. Just got pretty excited,” the 21-year-old forward said. “I saw the open net and just didn’t score. So, whatever, I think when we play like that, we get chances, good things will come.”
Plenty of good things came in Denver on Thursday for the Utah Hockey Club.
Guenther’s 3-point night (two goals and an assist) led Utah to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche continuing the Hockey Club’s recent road dominance. It was Utah’s fifth straight road win with the last four all coming by multiple goals.
But this one did have a few extra Utah fans. The Club brought along mentors — mostly various family members — on the road trip. Guenther’s mom made the trip, which might have played a role in his big night.
“It’s pretty cool to have her here,” he said. “And I’ve actually had pretty good luck when she’s in the building, so might have to bring her again next year.”
Guenther now has a team-leading 12 goals and 28 points on the season, continuing to make the extension he signed before the season look like a stroke of genius.
He got Utah on the board in the first with a fluke goal when his centering pass hit off Colorado’s Artturi Lehkonen’s skate and into the net. He then added a power-play goal in the second off some nice plays from Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz.
“Just a really nice play by Schmaltzy and Cools, quick puck movement,” he said of the power-play tally. “I mean, my mom probably could’ve scored that one.”
With how Utah’s special teams have been going, he might not be wrong. It was Utah’s ninth power-play goal over its last 10 games.
As for the semi-lucky bounce for his first goal? Head coach André Touringy believes that can be a good lesson for the young forwards on the team. The Cooley-Guenther-Jack McBain line has been far and away the most productive offensive line for Utah this season.
On Thursday, though, Tourigny was most impressed with that group’s defensive focus. And, yet, the points still came.
“What I like tonight more than I will say recently, they were outstanding defensively, and they get a reward offensively,” Tourigny said. “So I hope they realize that. They’re young, they’re really competitive, they want to do the right thing. And tonight, they were rock solid defensively and really good offensively, so good for them. Great to be rewarded like that. Happy for them.”
That defensive effort was certainly helped by yet another outstanding performance from goaltender Karel Vejmelka, who made 23 saves, including some highlight-worthy ones that kept Colorado off the board until late in the third period.
“I like the chances we created at times in the game, but (Vejmelka) made some big saves tonight, no question,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “And we got a little unlucky.”
As for Utah, luck seemed to be on its side. Vladislav Kolyachonok, playing in his first game since Nov. 24, scored when his long range shot hit off Colorado defenseman Calvin de Haan’s stick and into the goal, giving Utah two goals off Avalanhce players on the evening.
Utah is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games.
“Right now, we’re playing good games, and we have the urgency,” Tourigny said. “We don’t want to let that go, and we’re trying to keep going.”
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