3 least impressive players in Vancouver Canucks' 3-2 OT loss to Utah Hockey Club feat. Thatcher Demko

By Mike Whitaker

Modified Dec 19, 2024 06:58 GMT

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The Vancouver Canucks made their inaugural trip to the Delta Center on Wednesday. They faced the Utah Hockey Club in Salt Lake City for the first time since Utah relocated from the desert and their former identity as the Arizona Coyotes.

While the Canucks were aiming to build off their 3-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche earlier in the week, they were unable to make it two consecutive victories. That's because the Utah Hockey Club stunned the Canucks, coming back from two goals down to seize a 3-2 win in overtime.

The game started well for the Caucks, who took a two-goal lead. That was thanks to tallies from Danton Heinen in the second period followed by Dakota Joshua's second goal of the year since his return from offseason surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from one of his testicles.

However, things fell apart for the Canucks. Utah captain Clayton Keller cut the lead at the midway point of the third, followed by the tying goal from Dylan Guenther, scored on the power play.

First-year Utah defenseman Mikael Sergachev then scored the winning goal in overtime with 12 seconds remaining as the two clubs headed for a shootout:

Karel Vejmelka made 25 saves in the win, while Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko made 28 saves in a losing effort.

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Three least impressive players in Vancouver Canucks' 3-2 OT loss to Utah Hockey Club

#3 Nils Hoglander

The Canucks forward continues to struggle, having failed to register a point in his last 21 games.

Wednesday night's game against Utah was no different, as he didn't find the scoresheet nor did he manage any shots on goal. For the most part, he was largely invisible for the game, failing to make any impact.

#2 Tyler Myers

The veteran Vancouver Canucks defenseman took a careless cross-checking penalty late in the third period, which could have spelled doom for the Canucks, but they were fortunate to kill it off.

While Myers has fended off his critics in recent years, his performance against Utah was lacking.

#1 Thatcher Demko

The Canucks goaltender, who missed all of training camp and the exhibition schedule along with every regular season game up until returning last week, is still rounding into form.

While he made a handful of key saves, his blunder in the third period eventually set the stage for Utah's win. He failed to control what should have been an easy rebound, allowing Clayton Keller to pick up the loose puck and deposit it past him for the game-tying goal:

The Vancouver Canucks won't have time to dwell on this loss, though, as they take on the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night.