SAN JOSE – The Sharks’ Will Smith hit for a double and three points on Monday night to lead San Jose to a 6-3 win of the visiting Utah Mammoth.
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov stops a shot from Mammoth forward Dylan Guenther (11) as Timothy Liljegren (37) provides defensive support – Photo by Jack Lima
“It was about time we got a little bit of a breakthrough game,” Smith said.
Yaroslav Askarov made 31 saves in the win.
“I thought we played with the momentum probably better than we have all year,” San Jose coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “We pushed the pace and pushed the play a little bit.”
Tyler Toffoli collected four points in the win on two goals of his own.
On a night doubles, Utah’s Lawson Crouse hit for his own.
“Really disappointed about our effort,” Utah coach Andre Tourigny said. “Our execution right now as a team is not really good. That is on all of us.”
Toffoli staked the Sharks to a 1-0 lead early in the first
“The last couple of games we’ve had some really good games, did some really good things,” Toffoli said. “Tonight was nice to get going there in the first, and another big win.”
Pavol Regenda scored off the power play for a 2- lead. ate.
“That’s what we talked about with the coaches,” said Regenda. “I’m good in front of the net. That’s why they put me there. It paid off.”
trimmed the deficit to 2-1, but Toffoli hit for his double to make it 3-1.
“We’ve found ways to win games in all different ways,” Toffoli said. “It was nice to put up six goals tonight.”
Before the end of the first period, JJ Peterka scored for Utah to send it the middle frame, 3-2 to the Sharks.
In the second, Smith scored to make it 4-2.
“It happened quick,” Smith said. “I just remember [Celebrini] dropping it to me, and then made up my mind quick.”
Adam Gaudette pushed the Sharks’ advantage to 5-2 in the second.
Smith poyyed his double midway through the frame for a6-2 lead, and Crouse shit off a shorthanded situation for the 6-3 final.
“It’s on us as a coach to make sure the team is ready to work first. That’s the No. 1 thing,” Tourigny said.
Karel Vejmelka got the start for Utah and yielded three goals on just nine shots before getting the hook in the opening frame.
Vitek Vanecek made 18 saves in relief.
Match report by Shellie.Lima@prohockeynewscom
Tyler Toffoli (center) celebrates his first period goal with teammates Will Smith (2) and Maklin Celebrini (71) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a pad save on a shot from Mammoth forward Kailer Yamamoto (56) as Alexander Wennberg (21) attempts to clear the rebound – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov makes a kick save during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow (23) wins a faceoff against Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) attempts to knock the puck away from Mammoth center Jack McBain (22) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov (9) moves the puck away from Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks center Maklin Celebrini (71) battles Mammoth players Kailer Yamamoto (56) and Logan Cooley (92) for the puck after a faceoff – Photo by Jack Lima
Mammoth forward Michael Carcone (53) moves the puck between Sharks defenders Dmitry Orlov (9) and Ty Dellandrea (10) – Photo by Jack Lima
Mammoth forward Lawson Crouse (67) scores a first period goal past Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov – Photo by Jack Lima
Mammoth forward Clayton Keller (9) makes a pass between Sharks defenders Timothy Liljegren (37) and Ty Dellandrea (10) – Photo by Jack Lima
Mammoth center Logan Cooley jumps to knock down the puck – Photo by Jack Lima
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