Scott Wedgewood turned in a 33-save performance, but the Avalanche couldn't generate any offense as Utah handed Colorado a 2-0 shutout loss in its preseason finale.
Scott Wedgewood was outstanding for the Colorado Avalanche in their final preseason game Saturday against the Utah Mammoth, but his performance wasn't enough to keep the team from ending the exhibition schedule on a sour note.
Two first-period goals from Utah — including tallies from Jack McBain and Logan Cooley — proved to be all the offense the Mammoth needed. Colorado couldn't find the back of the net at the other end, falling 2-0 at Delta Center.
Wedgewood kept the Avalanche within striking distance throughout the night, stopping 33 of the 35 shots he faced. He was particularly sharp when Colorado was shorthanded, turning aside 12 of the 13 shots Utah generated on the power play.
McBain opened the scoring 6:38 into the game, finding a way to beat Wedgewood from in close and giving the Mammoth an early 1-0 advantage.
Utah added to its lead less than four minutes later. Cooley converted on the power play at 10:35, scoring from the right side of the crease to make it 2-0.
From there, Wedgewood gave Colorado a chance to climb back into the game.
The veteran goaltender stopped all 11 shots he faced in the second period, including several quality opportunities that could have put the game further out of reach. He continued to hold the Mammoth off the scoreboard in the third, making another 12 saves.
Colorado's penalty kill also turned in a strong performance, successfully killing off eight of Utah's nine power plays.
The problem for the Avalanche was at the other end of the ice. Despite Wedgewood's efforts and a strong night from the penalty kill, Colorado couldn't generate the offense needed to erase Utah's early advantage.
The loss brings Colorado's preseason schedule to a close.
Now, the games start to count.
The Avalanche will open the 2026-27 regular season Wednesday night at Ball Arena against the Los Angeles Kings. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. MDT, with the game airing on TNT, truTV, HBO Max and Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM and the Altitude Sports Radio App.
