Guenther breaks tie in 3rd, Utah edges Canucks

SALT LAKE CITY -- Dylan Guenther scored the tiebreaking goal with 5:53 left in regulation, and the Utah Hockey Club defeated the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 at Delta Center on Sunday.

Guenther scored on the power play by tipping in a backdoor pass from Nick Schmaltz at the left post.

“[It was] just a really nice play by [Schmaltz],” Guenther said. “I didn't even really see it, to be honest, but I was just kind of posted up there and he made a nice pass.”

Logan Cooley scored in his return to the lineup, and Clayton Keller had two assists for Utah (25-24-9), which was coming off a 5-3 loss at the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. Karel Vejmelka made 14 saves.

“I think we did a good job,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “I think there's always a thing you can do a little bit better, but I like our mindset, our composure, our compete level, and our urgency. So, I liked a lot of stuff. I’m happy.”

Jake DeBrusk scored for the Canucks (26-20-11), who have lost the first two games of a five-game road trip.

“We have guys double-clutching right now,” Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said. “These next two days, we're going to have to figure it out here with practice, get some confidence in some guys.”

Arturs Silovs made 30 saves in his first start since Nov. 27.

“It's tough. ... Third period, you get a penalty kill, they manage to score on it, and it's hard to come back from that,” Silovs said.

DeBrusk gave Vancouver a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the second period, scoring a power-play goal in tight off a cross-crease pass from Elias Pettersson.

Cooley tied it 1-1 at 3:51 of the second, redirecting John Marino's shot from the right point. It was his first game since Jan. 29 (missed previous seven games with a lower-body injury).

“It's a huge, huge win for us and a big goal by [Guenther] there,” Cooley said. “Overall, it felt pretty decent. It wasn't the best, that's for sure, but it feels good to be back out there and, like I said, get a win.”

NOTES: Keller extended his point streak to four games (two goals, four assists). ... Defenseman Victor Mancini played 13:56 in his Canucks debut. He was acquired by Vancouver in the trade with the New York Rangers for J.T. Miller on Jan. 31. ... Prior to the game, the Canucks placed goaltender Thatcher Demko on injured reserve, retroactive to Feb. 8.