SALT LAKE CITY – After missing 12 games due to injury, Dylan Guenther made a heroic return to the Utah Hockey Club lineup against the Philadelphia Flyers. In addition to three total points (2G, 1A), Guenther saved the day with a jaw-dropping buzzer beater in OT to beat goaltender Samuel Ersson for the win as time expired.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s wild win over the Flyers.
Regardless of the moment or outcome, forward Liam O’Brien brings an undeniable energy to the ice every time he laces up his skates.
Whether it’s his relentless forecheck, vicious net presence, brutal body checks or dropping the gloves, O’Brien always brings the juice.
Against the Flyers, O’Brien embraced one of his specialties as he fought Nicolas Deslauriers in the first period to bring Delta Center to life.
Liam O’Brien dropped the gloves with Deslauriers.
O’Brien has some battle scars after that one and his nose wasn’t looking great but my goodness, that man brings ENERGY.
Hyped the crowd on his way to the box. Never change Tuna.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Now, did O’Brien win the fight? Probably not.
But he got the crowd into the game and had the arena absolutely buzzing as he made his way to penalty box with a few battle scars.
The energy at the end.
That’s what he does. https://t.co/YyElwwK6xb
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
While O’Brien has yet to register a point this season, he’s arguably been the heart and soul of the Utah Hockey Club with his unwavering energy.
“Just keep going baby,” Dylan Guenther said about O’Brien.
“He was buzzing tonight, and I think when he was on the ice, we drew a lot of penalties, so he was a big part of that win.”
Dylan Guenther on Liam O’Brien’s play:
“Just keep going baby.”
“He was buzzing tonight & I think when he was on the ice we drew a lot of penalties so he was a big part of that win.” pic.twitter.com/M27d6KfEtR
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
O’Brien knows what is expected of him every night and so far, he’s delivered.
While some points would certainly be nice, his role is to bring physicality and a contagious energy in ways that few others can on the roster.
“I think OB was really, really good. Maybe his best game of the year,” head coach Andre Tourigny said.
“His line was really good. They generated good offense; they were stingy defensively. They gave us momentum at key moments.”
With their backs against the wall and potentially facing an insurmountable 10-point deficit between them and the wild card spot, the Utah Hockey Club pulled out a must-win at Delta Center on Tuesday night.
Rather than surrendering or waiving the white flag when the shots weren’t going in early, Utah kept fighting a picked up two massive points to keep their playoff hopes alive.
“(Tonight’s win) was absolutely huge. We still very much believe. We don’t look at scores elsewhere, but we know Calgary lost. We know Vancouver is up by one after two,” Tourigny explained.
“The point is…we know at this point we’ll need a bit of help (to make the playoffs). We didn’t take the straight line. But we can make it and we’ll fight for it. Now we’ll need to go on the road and have a helluva road trip.”
After the victory, Utah is now fourth in the wild card race with 53 points (six behind Calgary in the second wild card spot).
That’s still doable.
“Thats a big win for us,” O’Brien said. “You could tell there was a sense of relief. We earned it tonight.”
Sure, they need to have a masterclass of a performance on the final three-game road trip before Four Nations, but there’s no quit in this team right now.
If they can pick up four points over the next three games, they’ll still have a chance, especially if they can continue to get reinforcements after the break.
But for now, the boys can enjoy arguably one of the biggest wins of the season, if not the biggest at home.
After missing 12 games due to a lower-body injury, forward Dylan Guenther returned to the Utah Hockey Club lineup and completely dominated the game offensively.
Despite trailing for a majority of the night, both of Utah’s game tying goals were orchestrated by No. 11 as he assisted Mikhail Sergachev and then lit the lamp himself.
“He’s a huge part of our group. Obviously, he’s a dangerous player, dangerous shooter,” Barrett Hayton said during morning skate.
“That’s a huge boost for us. A guy you can count on in all situations. It’ll be big to have him back.”
Barrett Hayton on the return of Guenther:
“He’s a huge part of our group. Obviously, he’s a dangerous player, dangerous shooter.”
“That’s a huge boost for us. A guy you can count on in all situations. It’ll be big to have him back.” pic.twitter.com/m86i4KSXOt
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Against the Flyers, Guenther’s ability to create for himself and others was on full display during critical stretches for Utah.
Barrett Hayton on the return of Guenther:
“He’s a huge part of our group. Obviously, he’s a dangerous player, dangerous shooter.”
“That’s a huge boost for us. A guy you can count on in all situations. It’ll be big to have him back.” pic.twitter.com/m86i4KSXOt
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Early in the second, Guenther jumped out onto the rush, gathered a rebound and quickly found Sergachev who blasted one into the back of the net.
Great effort here from Guenther. Takes off on the rush, finds the puck on a rebound and sets up Sergachev perfectly.
Money shot from No. 98.
Guenther with a point in his first game back. https://t.co/9fj9JC27IJ
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Guenther then called his own number not once, but twice as he sniped Samuel Ersson in the final seconds of the game to capture a must win.
Guenther is lethal. Simple as that. https://t.co/m4Olzfr4xP
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Are you kidding me Guenther? Less than a second left and he sends Philly home with an L.
Just a merciless assassin that loves Costco.
What a player. What a play. https://t.co/Z6myGU6aAq
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 5, 2025
Guenther is simply a remarkably special talent.
He’s not only a lethal sharpshooter, but he can create for his teammates and has provided unbelievably clutch goals in key moments.
Getting him back was a massive boost for this team and will greatly aid them as they desperately try and make a playoff push.
The Utah Hockey Club will face the Columbus Blue Jacket on the road on Thursday night. The game can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on air on the KSL Sports APP or on 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
