SALT LAKE CITY — Justus Annunen showcased his skills with 25 saves as the Colorado Avalanche secured a convincing 5-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday, marking their fourth consecutive win.
Ross Colton ignited the scoring with his seventh goal of the season, while Cale Makar soon followed suit, finding the net in the first period. The second period saw further contributions from Casey Mittelstadt and Ivan Ivan, with the latter scoring during a power play. Joel Kiviranta rounded off the scoring with an unassisted goal late in the game.
Colton’s goal came midway through the first period, as he skillfully maneuvered the puck past Utah’s goalie, Karel Vejmelka, while on a power play. Makar then extended the lead with a powerful shot from a distance, showcasing the Avalanche’s offensive prowess.
Mittelstadt delivered a wrist shot from close range, boosting the Avalanche’s lead to three goals. Ivan’s power play goal, which was unassisted, further solidified Colorado’s dominance, as they headed into the final period with a 4-0 advantage.
Multiple players contributed to Colorado’s success, with Mittelstadt, Nikolai Kovalenko, and Mikko Rantanen each recording two assists.
Vejmelka, in his second start for Utah, managed to make 21 saves, but unfortunately faced a tough battle as he conceded nine goals over his first two games. Lawson Crouse netted Utah’s only goal with just over four minutes remaining in the contest.
Key Observations: The Avalanche’s blend of tight defense and a dynamic offense facilitated a well-rounded performance in this matchup. On the other hand, Utah fell victim to yet another slow start, failing to recover as they struggled to find their rhythm. Notably, Utah has not scored a goal in the first period for three consecutive games while allowing six goals in that time frame.
A crucial moment in the game occurred during the second period when Mittelstadt and Ivan scored mere minutes apart, effectively dousing any hope of a Utah comeback.
Statistically, Makar is making waves, leading the NHL with 15 points and 12 assists and achieving at least one point in each of Colorado’s first eight games this season.
Looking ahead, the Avalanche will initiate a three-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators on Sunday, while the Utah team prepares for a visit to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.