Günther has 3 points, Utah Hockey Club defeats Avalanche

Vladislav Kolyachonok and Kevin Stenlund scored goals and Logan Cooley had two assists for Utah (13-11-5), which has won three of its last four games. Karel Vejmelka made 23 saves.

“I thought we played really solid defensively,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “We were in the lanes, we had good sticks, we protected our slot really well and we had great goaltending. We scored the goals we needed and played solidly even without the puck.”

Nathan MacKinnon scored a goal and Scott Wedgewood made 19 saves for the Avalanche (17-14-0), who had won three straight and four of their last five.

“As the game went on we got better and better. It looked like we really struggled to hold our own today,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “Pretty good intentions, but it wasn’t that little bit extra that you need to create dangerous chances. I wasn’t there the whole game.”

Guenther gave Utah a 1-0 lead at 8:26 of the first period when his central pass to Cooley bounced past Artturi Lehkonen and past Wedgewood.

“They were outstanding defensively and will be rewarded offensively. So I hope they realize that,” Tourigny said of the Guenther, Cooley and Jack McBain line. “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. It’s nice to be rewarded like that.”