Dylan Guenther scores twice as Utah continues to look like a playoff threat in victory over Wild

ST. PAUL, Minnesota – André Tourigny is no longer surprised by Dylan Guenther’s heroics.

The head coach of the Utah Hockey Club saw him score the golden goal for Canada at the World Juniors, and there were several game-winning goals (like Wednesday) and overtime winners.

His power-play goal with 9:59 left Friday to give the Utah Hockey Club a 2-1 victory over Minnesota? That’s just Günther being Günther.

“There are guys like that – it’s just in their DNA,” Tourigny said. “Gunner, ever since I’ve known him, that’s what he does. Honestly, he has poise and composure and doesn’t change his game in those key moments.”

Guenther scored two goals on Friday, extending his team lead to 16 goals on the season as Utah won its fourth straight game and seventh straight on the road.

The common denominator of these four victories? That would be Günther.

He scored six goals in the last four games as Utah suddenly became a playoff threat. Utah is now just 1 point out of a wild card spot and is No. 3 in the division.

“We are growing as a group,” said defender Mikhail Sergachev. “We are a young group, but we can make the playoffs. We can play in the playoffs. We can play against playoff teams and we show that every night.”

Friday was just the latest example.

Minnesota is one of the top teams in the Western Conference, led by MVP favorite Kirill Kaprizov early in the season. The Wild looked just like that top team in the first few minutes of the game.

They thrived on offense in the first 10 minutes, producing seven shots on goal before Utah could muster one. The Wild broke through when Mats Zuccarello beat Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka on an odd-man rush.

But that was the only time the Wild were able to defeat Vejmelka – although it was far from the only time he was challenged.

The Wild had 29 shots on goal, including several breakaway chances and power play opportunities. Minnesota went 0 of 5 on the power play, although there was no shortage of great looks. The main reason for this was Vejmelka, who made 28 saves on Friday for a proud save percentage of .966.

“It’s a huge game for us, especially against these guys,” Vejmelka said. “They are one of the best teams. So it’s a great win for us. Huge, huge 2 points.”

It didn’t take long for Utah to respond after losing in the first period. A minute after the Wild’s opener, Guenther scored his first goal of the night when he deflected a shot from Jack McBain that landed right on the doorstep.

“It was a big moment when we were able to tie the game pretty quickly after the goal,” said Vejmelka. “And then we got better from game to game. And we also finished strong, strong.”

Strong placings become the norm for the ice hockey club. The team has now scored an equalizer or lead in the third period in each of its last games.

“Just really good composure,” Günther said. “We’ve been in this situation many times and I think we’re getting better at it.”

Nobody was better than Günther.

Midway through the third period, at the start of a power play, Günther sent a low puck into the net. He appeared to try to feed Logan Cooley – who was diving on the other side – but the puck deflected off a Minnesota stick and into the net.

A bit of luck? Sure, but Günther is also Günther.

And suddenly Utah is just Utah.

“We’ve been playing good hockey since mid-November,” Tourigny said. “You don’t go from a small fight to consistent victory. Things are progressing slowly. We started playing better defensively. Then we played better, even if we didn’t win much. It came.”…Now we’re here.”