On Sunday night at the Delta Center, the Utah Hockey Club claimed a significant victory against the Vancouver Canucks, edging them out with a 2-1 scoreline. This win is particularly important as it tightens the race for the playoff wild card spot.
Dylan Guenther, the team's standout player, scored the game-winning goal at the 14:07 mark of the third period on the power play. His goal marked his sixth game-winner of the season, and it was pivotal for the Utah Hockey Club, which is now just four points behind the Canucks for the final wild card spot in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
Logan Cooley, returning to the lineup after missing several games due to injury, also made waves by scoring Utah's first goal of the night, tying the game at 1-1. Cooley’s resurgence has been greatly anticipated, and he did not disappoint. Guenther spoke about Cooley’s impact, saying, "He was working hard over the break... just a really good player.”
The first period saw the Canucks take the lead when Jake DeBrusk scored their lone goal with assistance from Elias Pettersson and Pius Suter. The goal came during Vancouver’s power play early in the second period, putting Utah on the back foot momentarily.
Utah responded quickly with Cooley's skill shining through. He took control of the game, tying it up shortly after DeBrusk's goal and demonstrating why he is so valuable to the team. Cooley redirected John Marino's shot from the point, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Guenther’s eventual game-winner came after consistent pressure from the team's power play unit, which had looked dangerous throughout the match. After receiving a perfect pass from Nick Schmaltz, Guenther was perfectly positioned to tip the puck past Vancouver's goaltender, Arturs Silovs, giving Utah its first lead of the night.
The Utah defense also played an instrumental role, successfully stifling the Canucks and limiting them to only 15 shots on goal. Goaltender Karel Vejmelka was solid, finishing with 14 saves, as the team employed effective shot-blocking strategies—20 shots were blocked, minimizing threats from Vancouver.
The significance of having all core players healthy was not lost on Guenther, who noted, "It’s super exciting. We’re like 60 games in and this is our first time [being fully healthy].” This marks the first time this season the team has been able to field its preferred roster, showcasing the potential they possess when fully intact.
Utah coach André Tourigny echoed similar sentiments, stating, "There's a lot of teams hunting for the spot but we gave ourselves a chance. There's opportunities for us to learn and grow." His focus was clear as the team heads toward the playoff stretch with renewed vigor and optimism.
The victory allows Utah to start their four-game homestand on the right foot, with the competition for the wild card spot tighter than ever. Momentum is on their side, but other teams are also vying for position: Calgary, St. Louis, and Anaheim are all within six points of the Canucks as well.
Next up, the Utah Hockey Club will look to continue their winning ways against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, marking another opportunity to gain ground down the stretch. With the playoffs looming on the horizon, each game is feeling more and more like the playoffs for the players.
Final thoughts from Guenther summarizing the team’s mindset revealed determination and focus, "Just finding ways to win games builds our confidence... This is kind of where you want to be as a player. This is why you work hard to play in moments like this." The future is bright as Utah Hockey Club enters the last stretch of the season with hope and health on their side.