Written by 
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Mikhail Sergachev scored with 12 seconds left in overtime, as the Utah Hockey Club stormed back from a 2-0 deficit in the third period to beat the Vanouver Canucks and end a five-game home losing streak, 3-2.
This is Utah’s first victory at the Delta Center since November 13th.
“I had no energy,” Sergachev said. “I saw it was a two-on-one and it’s Logan Cooley, so he’ll always make a play. I just drove down there and got rewarded.”
After a scoreless first period, Vancouver broke through first on a goal by Danton Heinen, as he slapped in a rebound off the boards past Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka.
The Canucks doubled their lead early in the third period when Dakota Joshua scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0. Utah got one back with nine minutes left in regulation when Clayton Keller scored his 11th goal of the season on a rebound off of a shot by Nick Schmaltz.
Then with just 4:30 left in the third period, Utah tied the game on a power play goal by Dylan Guenther, his team-leading 14th of the season, to send the game to overtime.
Vejmelka and Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko both made outstanding saves in the extra period, and it looked like the game would go to a shootout.
But Logan Cooley got the puck in the middle of the ice and fed Sergachev with a beautiful pass, and Sergachev buried his eighth goal of the year for the game-winner.
“I think we’re a resilient group,” Sergachev said. “Our fans bring us there. They bring energy. We heard the chants, ‘Utah, Utah, Utah!’ That got us going.”
“If you expect to win, it’s easier to remain even keeled,” said Utah head coach Andre Tourigny. “We’re playing many important games, division games, where we need to get ready and jacked up for that game.”
Utah (15-11-5) matches its season high with its third straight win. Utah has won five out of its last six games overall.
Utah won just its second game this season when trailing after the second period, improving to 2-10-3. It was Vancouver’s first loss of the season when leading after the second.
“Yeah, it feels good,” Keller said. “I think we had a good start, and in the second, we were a little sloppy. We gave them a lot of chances just from our mistakes and maybe forcing a little bit. But, similar to that Minnesota game, I think we regrouped after the second and wanted to have a good start. And I think it’s good, power play gets a goal, and we get a five on five, and great playing in overtime. A lot of players stepped up and made big plays at key times.”
Utah, who has won six in a row on the road, will next play at Minnesota Friday night at 6:00 p.m.