Samuel Girard sends a bold warning to the Colorado Avalanche amid trade speculation

Colorado Avalanche fans did not get a track meet, but they got two points and a clean sheet as Samuel Girard delivered a 1-0 win over the Utah Mammoth. The defense-first night leaned heavily on goaltending and discipline.

Jackie Kay from Mile High Hockey writes that the opening period set the tone with limited space and few clean looks. Colorado pushed play early but struggled to get through the middle, while Utah clogged lanes and forced pucks wide.

Scott Wedgewood quietly settled in as the game wore on. The veteran netminder tracked pucks well, handled rebounds cleanly, and looked calm behind a defensive group that kept most chances to the outside.

The breakthrough finally came in the second period when Samuel Girard jumped a play and turned defense into offense. Girard finished the rush himself, slipping a backhand past the Utah goaltender for his second goal of the season.

That goal felt massive in the building because nothing else was coming easy. As a fan watching it unfold, this had all the vibes of a game where one mistake would decide everything.

The Avalanche leaned into structure after taking the lead. Breakouts were simpler, the neutral zone stayed tight, and Utah was forced to dump pucks rather than carry with speed.

Wedgewood was tested late in the second and again during a push in the third period. He turned aside chances from the slot and held firm during sustained pressure, finishing with 32 saves for the shutout.

Colorado did not dominate possession, but they managed the game well enough. The penalty kill stayed organized, the blue line gaps were consistent, and Girard's goal stood up as the difference.

Utah pulled the goalie late and threw everything toward the net, but nothing slipped through. The Avalanche protected the middle and cleared rebounds until the final horn sealed it.

The win sends Colorado Avalanche into the break with confidence that they can still grind when offense dries up. Games like this often matter more than the flashy ones come April.