Karel Vejmelka made 26 saves and John Marino got a fortunate bounce for the game-winning goal in the Utah Mammoth’s 2-1 win over the visiting Dallas Stars on Thursday in Salt Lake City.
With the score tied 1-1 at 4:03 of the third period, Marino’s long-range shot hit Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger in the mask near the collarbone area. The puck deflected upwards and fell behind Oettinger, with the puck sneaking over the line before the goalie could react.
It was another break that went Utah’s way during a hot streak for the club. The Mammoth are 4-0-1 in the first five dates of a seven-game homestand, and are on a six-game (5-0-1) points streak overall.
Marino and Nick Schmaltz each had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth.
Vejmelka stopped picked up his NHL-leading 22nd win of the season. The Utah goalie had to be sharp to win the goaltending duel with Oettinger, who stopped 25 of 27 shots in the hard-luck loss.
Mikko Rantanen had the only goal for the Stars, who have won just twice (2-5-4) in their last 11 games. Thursday was the last stop on a six-game road trip that saw the Stars post a 2-3-1 record.
Both goalies stood strong against multiple quality scoring chances over the first two periods. Vejmelka’s highlight reel included a close-range stop on Mavrik Bourque 2:40 into the second frame, while Oettinger twice denied JJ Peterka with big saves.
Just seven seconds before the second intermission, Utah finally broke through. On something of a broken rush into the Stars’ end, Marino’s pass found Schmaltz in front for the tip-in goal.
Dallas found the equalizer early in the third period, as Rantanen struck on a power play at the 2:04 mark. Wyatt Johnston’s initial shot was stopped, but Rantanen buried the rebound for his 19th goal of the season.
After Marino restored Utah’s lead, Vejmelka delivered down the stretch. The goalie made a huge glove save to deny Sam Steel 12:47 into the third period, and Vejmelka then stopped Roope Hintz’s tip-in chance with just 55 seconds left in regulation.
