Utah Hockey Club rallies to defeat Canucks in OT

Dec 18, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;  Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) celebrates the winning overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
Dec 18, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) celebrates the winning overtime goal against the Vancouver Canucks at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Utah Hockey Club defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night at Delta Center.

It is one of the most impressive comeback victories of the season for the Hockey Club. Defenseman Mikhail Sergachev scored with 12 seconds left in overtime.

The Utah Hockey Club fought, extracted, and never quit in this game. Sergachev had a great night, and his overtime goal was his second of the night. He got a nice assist from Logan Cooley on a 2-on-1 possession. 

“Yeah, it feels good,” Sergachev said. “Finally, we got two points at home. It feels great. I don't think we have won at home in a month or so. So, you know, obviously a big one.”

Sergachev scored his second overtime goal of the season, becoming the first NHL defenseman to score multiple OT winners in 2024-25. 

There were other heroes in this game for Utah. Captain Clayton Keller had two points (one goal and one assist). Goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 24 of 26 shots. 

“I think it shows we're learning from our mistakes … we've talked about them before and addressed them a bunch,” Keller said. “I'm happy with how we battled adversity tonight and got the two points.”

One of the most important plays of the game came from Dylan Guenther, one of their best scorers.

Utah would’ve not won this game without his contribution. Guenther tied the game 2-2 in the third period on a power play.

Guenther extended his goal streak to three games and his point streak to six games (four goals, five assists).

The atmosphere was electric at Delta Center. Coach Andre Tourigny, who noticed how much passion the fans showed on Wednesday night, expressed admiration and appreciation.

"That means a ton for the player,” Tourigny said. “You want to be supported. You want to feel like you belong. That was cool. That's what you love."

When the fans are behind a team, it gives them more courage and motivation to perform better. On Wednesday, the fans got what they paid for. 

With tonight's win, Utah extended its season-long point streak to six games. 

Utah improves to 15-11-5 this season. Their next meeting is on the road against the Minnesota Wild on Friday night at 8 p.m. 

After winning this game against the Canucks, it gives Utah much more confidence and swag to walk into Minnesota and try to get a victory. 

Coach Tourigny will have his players motivated and ready to go, and he knows the Wild team will also be prepared. It’s going to be a heavyweight battle in a Western Conference matchup.