Game Recap: Bad rebounds cost the Colorado Avalanche a three-game winning streak against the Utah Hockey Club

Nathan MacKinnon scored his 11th goal of the season for the Colorado Avalanche, but unfortunately that was all they had to show for Thursday night at Ball Arena.

Dylan Guenther scored two goals and an assist and the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Avs 4-1, snapping a three-game winning streak for the home team. Vladislav Kolyachonok and Kevin Stenlund also scored goals for UHC as they remained undefeated in their last four games. Karel Vejmelka stopped 22 of 23 shots.

Scott Wedgewood had 19 saves in his first home start with Colorado since being acquired from Nashville on Nov. 30 in the trade for Justus Annunen. The 32-year-old from Brampton, Canada, has been outstanding for the Avalanche so far. He was still solid in this game, but was undone by a poor goal in the opening period, followed by a second half blitzkrieg that cemented Utah’s dominance.

First period

We start with the favorable target. Guenther got Utah on first at 8:26 of the first period when his central pass bounced off Artturi Lehkonen’s skate and led past Wedgewood for an own goal.

Colorado outscored its opponents in the first game, finishing the period with a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal. But they were behind where it mattered most – on the scoreboard. Vejmelka made some great saves to keep the game 1-0.

Second period

In the second period, Utah stepped on the gas and scored two goals in about two minutes of play. Vladislav Kolyachonok’s wrist shot deflected off defenseman Calvin de Haan as the puck sneaked past Wedgewood’s leg, giving Utah a two-goal lead.

Then, about 90 seconds later, Givani Smith — whom the Avs acquired in the deal that brought goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood to Colorado — was sent to the sin bin for unsportsmanlike conduct. The Avs’ penalty kill, pedestrian at best this season, continued to disappoint as Guenther needed just nine seconds to score on a Wedgewood strike to make it 3-0.

Third period

Colorado finally scored with 4:26 left in regulation when MacKinnon fired a wrister into the goal, but Utah responded with an empty-net goal from Kevin Stenlund to seal the deal.

Colorado fell to 17-13-0 with the loss and Utah got revenge for the Avs’ dominant 5-1 road win two months ago.

Takeaways

MacKinnon’s goal was his 946th career point, tying him for third in franchise history with Michel Goulet, which is very cool. Congratulations to Mack.

To be honest, this game wasn’t bad. Colorado had a few unfortunate balls that worked against them and the offense came up with great plays at times, but Vejmelka was outstanding in net. And that’s okay. There will be games where the other team’s goalkeeper is simply on a different level that night, and that was the case with Vejmelka. In my view, the offense stepped up even when it was able to show extra initiative to pursue loose pucks and prevent costly turnovers. They still have a lot of work to do, but it’s much better when there’s a team that doesn’t worry about their goalkeeper letting every shot into the net.

Saturday is set to be Mackenzie Blackwood’s highly anticipated debut in Colorado and we’ll see what the man in a blue sweater is capable of.

Soon

The Avalanche conclude their two home games against the Nashville Predators on Saturday at 7 p.m. In addition, Justus Annunen returns to the Ball Arena for the first time since his trade.