Josh Doan’s tying goal set up Dylan Guenther’s winner as Utah took down the Isles Thursday.
Resilience was the word that could describe Utah's overtime win Thursday.
It's just another sign that this young team is growing up right before everyone's eyes.
After a wild third period that saw the Utah Hockey Club (2-0-0) go behind twice, Josh Doan scored his first of the season to tie it, then Dylan Guenther scored his fourth goal in two games to win it 2:18 into the fourth period as the team spoiled the New York Islanders' home and season opener at UBS Arena.
"We've been through a lot of different situations through the years," head coach Andre Tourigny said. "There's just no quit in these guys."
It certainly would have been easy to do so, given the Islanders (0-0-1) were given chance after chance to pull away as Utah took six penalties on the night.
But the penalty kill, along with a power play that went 2-for-2 on its opportunities, proved to be the difference.
"It's always a little bit defeating when they come back and tie the game in the third," Doan said. "Fortunately, we got the bounces that went in."
None bigger bounce came than Doan's first goal of the season late in regulation.
Doan took a quick pass from Alex Kerfoot, and Doan flipped a shot on his backhand that trickled past Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov.
"Doaner is another guy; his stick is unbelievable," Tourigny said. "He always disturbs the opponents' timing; he played a good game."
Now, the club will look to take that momentum into Saturday's showdown with the reigning Presidents' Trophy holder New York Rangers.
"We want to build our momentum," Tourigny said. "Every time you have a chance to gain points in this league, you have to do it."
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