Nick Schmaltz records hat trick as Mammoth break away from Sharks

Nick Schmaltz recorded his second career hat trick and added an assist to lead the Utah Mammoth to a 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks in Salt Lake City on Friday night.

Clayton Keller added a goal and three assists and Liam O'Brien and Michael Carcone also scored for the Mammoth. Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves.

Macklin Celebrini and Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist each and Tyler Toffoli also scored for the Sharks, who lost their fourth straight (0-2-2) to start the season. Yaraslov Askarov stopped 28 shots.

O'Brien broke a 2-2 tie with 3:51 left in the second period. He backhanded in a shot from the side of the net after a dump-in eluded Askarov behind the net. It was the first goal of the season for O'Brien, who was making his season debut. The tally was his first since April 17, 2024.

Schmaltz completed his hat trick 54 seconds into the third period with a one-time shot from in front, converting a pass from Keller.

A 20-goal scorer for Utah in 2024-25, the 10-year veteran scored his first three goals of the season in the decisive victory.

Carcone made it 5-2, 3:25 into the third when he beat Askarov with a wrist shot from the inside part of the right circle.

Keller registered a short-handed goal with 8:28 left.

Celebrini got a power-play score with 3:09 remaining for his first goal of the season.

San Jose tied the game 2-2 with two goals in the span of 1:50 early in the middle period.

Toffoli made it 2-1 with a power-play goal 5:23 into the middle period when he deposited a rebound past Vejmelka. Skinner tied it at 7:23 when his shot/pass attempt from the left wing corner deflected in off Utah defenseman Ian Cole.

Schmaltz scored twice in the first period to give Utah a 2-0 lead.

He opened the scoring 9:39 into the game with a 5-on-3 power-play goal. He put in a one-timer from the inside bottom edge of the right circle.

Schmaltz made it 2-0 less than four minutes later with a turnaround shot from the slot.

--Field Level Media