Dylan Guenther’s overtime goal just 33 seconds into the extra period propelled the Utah Mammoth to a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night, marking their fourth consecutive win and maintaining a perfect home record this season. The thrilling contest saw multiple lead changes and late-game drama before Guenther sealed the win with a quick tap-in off a feed from Clayton Keller.
The game began with Colorado taking an early lead as Cale Makar fired a slap shot from the point past Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka at 5:29 of the first period. However, the Mammoth responded strongly in the second period, capitalizing on their opportunities despite some controversial calls. Nick Schmaltz tied the game on a power-play rebound, and Lawson Crouse gave Utah the lead with a one-timer, showcasing the team’s improved offensive execution.
Colorado faced setbacks in the second period when a potential goal by Gabriel Landeskog was overturned due to an offside challenge, and another by John Marino was disallowed for goaltender interference. These moments seemed to shift momentum in Utah’s favor, as they outshot the Avalanche 15-7 in the period and built a 2-1 lead heading into the final frame.
The third period saw a back-and-forth battle, with Jack Drury scoring his first goal of the season just 70 seconds in to tie the game at 2-2. Mikhail Sergachev then gave Utah the lead again at 5:20, stealing the puck and beating Avalanche goalie Scott Wedgewood unassisted. But Colorado refused to quit, and Martin Necas tied the game with 2:16 remaining on a sharp-angle shot that deflected off Vejmelka’s helmet.
In overtime, the Mammoth wasted no time, as Guenther finished a precise pass from Keller to end the game abruptly. The goal was Guenther’s fourth of the season, tying him for the team lead, and highlighted his clutch performance in critical moments. Utah’s victory was also bolstered by Sergachev’s three-point night and Vejmelka’s 30 saves, including several key stops in the third period.
For Colorado, the loss snapped a three-game winning streak, but they earned a point to remain undefeated in regulation through seven games. Wedgewood, who entered the game with a stellar 1.48 goals-against average, made 29 saves but couldn’t prevent the overtime defeat. The Avalanche’s power play struggled, going 0-for-1 and falling to 3-for-26 on the season, an area that may need improvement moving forward.
The win solidifies Utah’s strong start to the season, with a 5-2-0 record and a 4-0-0 mark at home, setting a franchise best for home wins to open a season. Head coach Andre Tourigny praised his team’s resilience and adaptability, noting the importance of staying focused against a top opponent like Colorado. The Mammoth will look to carry this momentum into their next game against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Avalanche, now 5-0-2, will return home to face the Carolina Hurricanes, aiming to bounce back from this narrow defeat. Despite the loss, coach Jared Bednar emphasized the positive of earning a road point and the need for a full 60-minute effort in future games. This matchup highlighted the competitive nature of the NHL early in the season, with both teams demonstrating why they are contenders in their respective divisions.