The Utah head coach spoke about how last night's wrenching loss to San Jose should be "fuel" for his young team.
Practice at the Utah Olympic Oval Tuesday was grueling, but it was also chippy and competitive.
It's exactly what Andre Tourigny wants to see from his team, especially after last night's improbable loss to the previously winless San Jose Sharks.
"You need to win or to learn," he said. "There's no doubt, yesterday, was a learning experience; we cannot waste an opportunity like that."
It was certainly an opportunity Utah let get away, blowing a 4-1 lead with less than five minutes remaining in regulation and sending them to their fourth consecutive loss.
The defeat not only deflated the home crowd at Delta Center, but also put a huge dent in Utah's early chances to compete for a playoff spot.
The club is level on 10 points with the St. Louis Blues and the surging Colorado Avalanche in the Central Division, but sits two places behind them and the Calgary Flames -- tomorrow's opponent -- for the second wild-card spot.
A win tomorrow would not only lift the club back into playoff position as the first month of the season concludes, but provide a huge morale boost after a tough stretch following a 3-0-0 start.
"I don't think we're as good as we can be," Tourigny said. "I'm really motivated about that game. You have to let it fuel your anger or desire to win at some point."
More on tomorrow's opponent here: