Utah Hockey Club's Last Home Game Of 2024 Ends With Third Consecutive Home Loss

It ended up being the third consecutive loss for Utah Hockey Club (16-13-6) as it lost 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche (22-15-0).

Though the 4-1 score doesn't indicate it, the Utah vs. Colorado game was close late up until the last two minutes.

With a 2-1 deficit and time running out, Utah was trying to do what no team had done all season: comeback against a Avalanche team who was 15-0-0 when it held the lead entering the third period.

With a little over two minutes remaining on the clock, Utah elected to sub out goalie Karel Vejmelka to try an up the offensive pressure.

It backfired almost immediately as a pass to the middle from Utah's Logan Cooley ended up in Colorado possession. With Colorado's Nathan Mackinnon leading the way, he passed the puck to wide open teammate Mikko Rantanen to extend the lead 3-1 with under two minutes left.

Related: Utah HC Loses In Back-To-Back Games As Dallas Wins 3-2

With the goal, Rantanen temporarily breaks the tie with Edmonton Oiler's Leon Draisaitl to move up to second in points across all of NHL. His teammate Mackinnon is currently first.

The game was decided for good when Artturi Lehkonen secured his first career hat trick as he shot from Colorado's defensive zone to Utah's empty net to score the Avalanche's fourth goal.

It wasn't just Lehkonen who had a good night though, Mackinnon was also able to add to his NHL point lead as he got three assists on the night giving him a total of 60 points through the season.

It was clear both teams were refreshed and ready to get back to the ice after the three day break.

Despite a 0-0 score through first period, both teams traded shots with one another. Both teams relied heavily on its goalies as Utah's Vejmelka and newly acquired Colorado goalie Mackenzie Blackwood both were attentive and had plenty of important saves early.

In the end, Vejmelka's 33 saves still wasn't enough to out duel Blackwood's 34 saves that proved to be the major difference in the game in the closing minutes.

It wasn't until the second period before Colorado was able to break through for its first goal.

Utah held all the offensive momentum as it pressure Colorado's defense with its 8 consecutive shots. It would be almost four and a half minutes before Colorado would be able to attempt a shot of its own.

Still, the Avalanche held strong on defense and didn't allow a score for Utah.

Shortly after, the Avalanche would get the first goal of the game after a well-placed pass from Mackinnon.

Though Utah would get a power play opportunity right after the Avalanche scored, Utah was unable to get off a single shot despite the advantage.

Even though Utah's Jack McBain would have three shots in a row later in the period, Blackwood would stay strong for Colorado and not allow a goal for Utah in the second period.

With the second period about to finish two separate fights broke out. One was a sudden fight that broke out between Mackinnon and Utah's Barrett Hayton that resulted in both players having five minute penalties. The other likely started due to Hayton's and Mackinnon's fight as both teams started a scrum with one another in the closing seconds.

With the final period beginning, Utah took advantage not only of Mackinnon's absence, but on a power play opportunity that happened during his time in the penalty box.

A wide open shot from Utah's Mikhali Sergachev bounced off a well-positioned Nick Schmaltz to give Utah its first and only goal of the night.

That would be as close as the game got however. Lehkonen would score his second goal of the night and Utah wouldn't score for the rest of the night.

Now Utah will go to Seattle on Monday to start its four-game road trip.

Let me know down below: Do you think Utah can get back on track with a road win or will the losing streak extend?