{"id":410380,"date":"2026-01-16T07:24:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:24:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/410380\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T07:24:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:24:30","slug":"utah-mammoth-beat-dallas-stars-2-1-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/410380\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Mammoth beat Dallas Stars 2-1 \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019d asked any knowledgeable hockey fan to predict the Utah Mammoth\u2019s wins and losses during their current seven-game home stand, most of them would have circled the last two games as scheduled defeats.<\/p>\n

But professional athletes don\u2019t care about odds.<\/p>\n

The Mammoth handled the red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> 6-1 on Tuesday, and then sent the Dallas Stars, the NHL\u2019s second-best team, home with a 2-1 loss on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Head coach Andr\u00e9 Tourigny likened his team\u2019s momentum to a snowball.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne lap doesn\u2019t make a big snowball. It\u2019s when you play another good game and another good game,\u201d he said. \u201cThe result doesn\u2019t come right away, but at some point when you put a lot of good action, one behind the other one, lot of good games, at some point, you become more confident.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) skates past Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco (20) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) moves the puck during the first period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) is called for a slashing penalty on Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth left wing Daniil But (19) dumps the puck into the offensive zone past Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) skates with the puck around Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) during the first period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi (50) shoots during the first period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save against Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) skates between Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) and center Wyatt Johnston (53) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) moves the puck against Dallas Stars center Justin Hryckowian (49) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) collides with Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) has a shot blocked by Dallas Stars defenseman Esa Lindell (23) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates with defenseman John Marino (6) and center Nick Schmaltz (8) after Schmaltz scored during the second period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman Nick DeSimone (57) looks to control an airborne puck during the second period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Fans cheer after a Utah Mammoth goal against the Dallas Stars during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) and Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco (20) scuffle during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) lines up a hit on Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) during the second period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Dallas Stars right wing Mikko Rantanen (96) celebrates with the bench after scoring during the third period of an NHL game against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth mascot Tusky leads a cheer during the third period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) grimaces as he skates off the ice after being slashed in the hand during the third period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) celebrates with right wing Clayton Keller (9), Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) and center Nick Schmaltz (8) after scoring during the third period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) handles the puck during the third period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) shoots the puck during the third period of an NHL game against the Dallas Stars at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) and Dallas Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (46) look for the puck after a blocked shot during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) skates to the bench after the final buzzer as the Utah Mammoth celebrate a 2-1 win at the end of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth left wing Daniil But (19) looks for a shooting lane while pressured by Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene (95) during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) shoots the puck past Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley (55) during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) pressures Dallas Stars defenseman Kyle Capobianco (20) during the third period of an NHL game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Quick catchupUtah Mammoth: 2Dallas Stars: 1<\/p>\n

The first two periods Thursday were tight: Neither team gave up much offense, and both goalies were equal to every task that did come their way \u2014 until the dying seconds of the second period, at least.<\/p>\n

With seven seconds left, Nick Schmaltz tipped a John Marino rush pass past Jake Oettinger to finally crack the scoring open in Utah\u2019s favor.<\/p>\n

It opened the gates for both teams, though. Two minutes into the third period, Mikko Rantanen chipped a puck over the outstretched pad of Karel Vejmelka on the power play to even the score.<\/p>\n

Two minutes later, Marino and Schmaltz combined again, this time on one of the wackiest bounces you\u2019ll see all year. <\/p>\n

Marino\u2019s long shot hit Oettinger in the shoulder, bounced so high the folks in the limited-view seats could probably see it, and somehow landed in the net.<\/p>\n

The Mammoth spent the rest of the game defending the lead. The Stars are tied for the fourth-most goals in the NHL this season, so it\u2019s no easy task to hold them down, but despite a three-minute stretch when the puck only left the Mammoth\u2019s zone for repeated icings, they held on long enough to secure the win.<\/p>\n

Even with its recent success, Utah is still fighting to hold onto the first wild card spot in the NHL\u2019s Western Conference. One team in that race is the Seattle Kraken, whom the Mammoth host at the Delta Center on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The grind doesn\u2019t stop here.<\/p>\n

Tidbits and takeawaysA game of goalies<\/p>\n

Tourigny said it best: \u201cIt could have gone in the other direction. Two deflections and whoop, we\u2019re down by one.\u201d<\/p>\n

Truthfully, the Stars did have a number of scoring chances that would have resulted in goals most of the time \u2014 but Vejmelka came up big time and time again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can be confident as much as you want, (but) if they take five shots and score three, the confidence goes (out) the window pretty quick. … He knows what to expect, he knows how the team plays, I think he\u2019s got a level of comfort about what we\u2019re giving up and where the threat is coming from, and I think he\u2019s doing a really, really good job,\u201d Tourigny said of Vejmelka.<\/p>\n

Vejmelka and Oettinger were both selected to represent their respective countries at the upcoming Olympics. Czechia and the United States aren\u2019t in the same group for the preliminary games, but it\u2019s absolutely possible they could meet in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

In other words, fans could see that same goaltending matchup at the Olympics.<\/p>\n

The first home shutout in franchise history evaded Vejmelka once again, but his .963 goals-against average, including some big saves, was enough to earn him the first star of Thursday\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

It was also the Mammoth\u2019s second consecutive game holding their opponent off the score sheet the entire first two periods.<\/p>\n

Calmness prevails, Utah learns<\/p>\n

At many points last season \u2014 and a few times in the early part of this one \u2014 the Mammoth seemed to get overwhelmed when defending leads. Even if they were up by several goals, you couldn\u2019t always count on them to get to the finish line unscathed.<\/p>\n

Their effort in the dying minutes of this one wasn\u2019t perfect, but they remained calm and it paid off.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everyone didn\u2019t panic too much, whether the guys were out there tired, everyone on the bench, no one was screaming, shouting,\u201d Marino said. \u201cEveryone was pretty comfortable in the situation. We learn from that and go forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

He specifically mentioned his team\u2019s willingness to block shots, back-check and play \u201cthe right way.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a young, skilled team, Utah\u2019s organizational goal so far has been to develop players into guys who can win in the playoffs. You get that experience by playing hard in close games against good teams \u2014 which is exactly what Thursday\u2019s game was.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe earlier in the season, you blew some leads there. We weren\u2019t as comfortable as we are under pressure, but hopefully (we\u2019re) coming together as a team here,\u201d Marino said.<\/p>\n

Tourigny agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou will not win every battle. I wish, but that will never happen,\u201d he said. \u201cBut the pace we have in the battle, there\u2019s no time and space, we don\u2019t give time and space, we contest, always, the possession, so opponents, at some point, they have to play through our pace and we\u2019re happy about that.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was not a playoff game, but the style of play resembled that which is always present in the postseason. The more of these games Utah can play now, the more prepared it\u2019ll be if and when it does make the playoffs, whether that\u2019s this year or later.<\/p>\n

Goal of the gameSchmaltz finally solves Oettinger<\/p>\n

First off, the goal of the game would have been Dylan Guenther\u2019s Michigan<\/a>, if it had worked. He scored one in junior<\/a>, but despite a number of attempts he hasn\u2019t been able to negotiate one in the NHL quite yet.<\/p>\n

Instead, the honor goes to Nick Schmaltz for a less flashy, but just as important tip-in. Things have been working out for Schmaltz this year, and this is yet another example of that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019d asked any knowledgeable hockey fan to predict the Utah Mammoth\u2019s wins and losses during their current…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":410381,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5117],"tags":[196,147,5278,5,3157,4,197],"class_list":{"0":"post-410380","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dallas-stars","8":"tag-dallas","9":"tag-dallas-stars","10":"tag-dallasstars","11":"tag-hockey","12":"tag-news-feed-local","13":"tag-nhl","14":"tag-stars"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/115903587012022423","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410380","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=410380"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410380\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/410381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=410380"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=410380"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=410380"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}