The Utah Hockey Club is inches away from more history by defeating the Colorado Avalanche

DENVER – Dylan Guenther was inches away from history.

Günther’s shot attempt in the third period slipped over the goal line and remained outside the net; That’s how close he came to the franchise’s first hat trick.

“That hurts a little. “I’m just pretty excited,” said the 21-year-old striker. “I saw the open goal and just didn’t score. So whatever, I think if we play like that, we get chances, then good things will happen.”

There was a lot of good news for the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday in Denver.

Guenther’s 3-point night (two goals and one assist) led Utah to a 4-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, continuing the hockey club’s recent road dominance. It was Utah’s fifth straight road win, the last four all coming by multiple goals.

But this one had a few extra Utah fans. The club brought mentors – usually various family members – with them on the road trip. Günther’s mother traveled with him, which may have played a role in his big evening.

“It’s pretty cool to have them here,” he said. “And I’ve actually had pretty good luck with her being in the building, so I might have to bring her back next year.”

Günther now leads the team with 12 goals and 28 points this season, making the contract extension he signed before the season continue to look like a stroke of genius.

He got Utah on the board in the first period with a fluke goal when his center pass bounced off the skate of Colorado’s Artturi Lehkonen and went into the net. He then added a power play goal in the second period after some nice plays from Logan Cooley and Nick Schmaltz.

“Just a really nice play from Schmaltzy and Cools, quick puck movement,” he said of the power play tally. “I mean, my mom probably could have scored the goal.”

Considering how Utah’s special teams operated, he may have a point. It was Utah’s ninth power play goal in the last 10 games.

As for the half-lucky dive to score his first goal? Head coach André Touringy believes this can be a good lesson for the young strikers in the team. The Cooley-Guenther-Jack McBain line has been by far the most productive offensive line for Utah this season.

On Thursday, however, Tourigny was most impressed by this group’s defensive focus. And still the points came.

“What I like more tonight than I will say recently is that they were excellent defensively and they are rewarded 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 that’s good for them. “It’s great to be rewarded like that.” I’m happy for her.”

This defensive performance was certainly helped by another outstanding performance from goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka, who made 23 saves, including some highlight-reel saves that kept Colorado off the field until the end of the third period.

“I like the chances we created every now and then in the game, but (Vejmelka) made some big saves tonight, no question,” Avs coach Jared Bednar said. “And we were a little unlucky.”

Utah seemed to have luck on its side. Vladislav Kolyachonok, playing in his first game since Nov. 24, scored when his long-range shot hit Colorado defender Calvin de Haan’s stick and into the goal, giving Utah two goals ahead of the Avalanhce on the night .

Utah has a record of 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.

“Right now we are playing good games and we have the urgency,” Tourigny said. “We don’t want to give up on that and try to move on.”