SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Mammoth played an incredible brand of hockey, taking down the Dallas Stars, the NHL’s second-leading team, with a 2-1 victory.
The Mammoth (24-20-4, 52 pts) played host to the Stars (27-12-9, 63 pts) at Delta Center on Thursday, January 15.
Utah began the day leading the Western Conference Wild Card race over the San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings by one point. Dallas is firmly third in the West, five points clear of the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
The Hat Trick: Line Changes Spark Commanding Win Over Toronto Maple Leafs
star light
star bright
big dubs on bagel night pic.twitter.com/dIh7aIQ05i
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
The first 40 minutes nearly went scoreless before Nick Schmaltz’s deflection at 19:53 gave Utah its first lead before the second intermission.
After Dalla answered, the Mammoth went back to work.
Following a faceoff win from Schmaltz, Marino bounced a shot off Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger, which found its way into the net after a fortunate deflection.
First Period
2021 Stanley Cup winner and Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev reached a career milestone when he first stepped on the ice, playing in the 600th game of his storied NHL career.
Utah went on its first power play at 7:33 when Roope Hintz was whistled for slashing on Nate Schmidt.
Utah Mammoth power play.
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
The Mammoth were unable to convert despite four shots in quick succession at one point during the PP.
Utah peppered Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger with ten shots in the period but couldn’t scratch across a goal.
Scoreless after one. pic.twitter.com/3YlSmLfk3k
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
Karel Vejmelka stopped six Dallas shots in a scoreless opening 20 minutes.
Second Period
Utah’s shot advantage continued early in period number two to no avail.
Defensively, the Mammoth were doing a terrific job of converging on the puck and keeping Dallas from getting many open looks.
JJ Peterka had a breakaway but was stoned by Oettinger at 7:07, setting the tone for an incredible pace from both teams.
Moments later, Vejmelka made a spectacular save on a Jason Robertson breakaway.
BIG save Vejmelka! pic.twitter.com/5McCMMmklh
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
Dallas began holding the puck late in the period, slowing the pace after several frantic minutes.
With the seconds ticking down, Utah had one final rush.
Clayton Keller skated the puck into the offensive zone before dishing to John Marino. Marino’s shot to the net was deflected by a lunging Nick Schmaltz, bouncing past Oettinger for a 1-0 lead.
🚨 SCHMALTZY!
1-0 going into the third! pic.twitter.com/L6GAnt1Lmb
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
It was the 17th goal of the season for Schmaltz.
Utah led 1-0 after 40 minutes.
Third Period
The Mammoth appeared to have doubled their lead early in the period when Lawson Crouse deflected a shot into the net. After a discussion, the official ruled no goal on a high stick.
Momentum shifted when Mikko Rantanen flipped a rebound past Vejmelka for the equalizer at 2:04.
Mikko Rantanen power play goal. This game is tied, 1-1. 17:56 remaining in the third period.
— Catherine Bogart (@CatherineBogart) January 16, 2026
Utah responded moments later.
Schmaltz won a faceoff, sending the puck toward John Marino near the boards.
Marino fired the puck toward the net. The puck deflected off Oettinger’s shoulder, then caromed off his helmet, high in the air, before bouncing in the crease and into the net.
Johnny for the lead!
🚨 2-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/XUjQsFSDim
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 16, 2026
The Mammoth put Oettinger under consistent attack while trying to maintain its slim lead.
Dallas pulled the goalie with 3:22 left.
Utah held on for a gigantic 2-1 win.
Follow the Utah Mammoth with KSL Sports
Utah hosts the Seattle Kraken at Delta Center on Saturday, January 17. The puck drops at 3 p.m. MT.
Follow the entire 2025-26 Utah Mammoth schedule here.
The Smith Entertainment Group’s (SEG) streaming platform will also continue to carry all Mammoth games on SEG+ in 2025-26.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
All Mammoth games will be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM). Occasionally, KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM / 1160 AM) also airs Jazz games.
Take us with you, wherever you go.
Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24.
