Tag: Sports Radio Service

Penguins Shut Out Sharks 3-0; Sharks…Still Waiting For Victory to Come

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By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, CA — After a painful loss in Utah, it was a vibrant Hispanic Heritage Night at SAP Center in San Jose — but not a celebratory one for the San Jose Sharks (0-3-2). San Jose hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins (4-2-0) in hopes of securing their first win of the season, yet they fell short once again, extending a difficult start to the campaign losing in a shutout 3-0.

Coming into the game, the Sharks sat near the bottom of the league standings, largely due to a troubling goal differential and ongoing defensive struggles. Key defensive pieces such as John Klingberg, Ryan Reaves, and Shakir Mukhamadullin were unavailable for the matchup, further complicating San Jose’s lineup decisions.

The organization also took the opportunity to honor the local community with Hispanic Heritage Night, celebrating the rich cultural presence of Latinos in San Jose and across the Bay Area.

First Period: Promise Without Results

San Jose opened the game with energy and offensive intent, showing flashes of chemistry and creativity against a Penguins team anchored by veteran experience. Both teams traded chances, but neither was able to break through, ending the first period scoreless. The Sharks looked more structured, generating quality rushes and forecheck pressure.

Second Period: Crosby Capitalizes

The momentum shifted in the second. Defensive lapses by San Jose allowed Sidney Crosby to find space and open the scoring, giving Pittsburgh a 1–0 lead. The Sharks struggled to respond, managing offensive zone time but lacking the finish to beat the Penguins’ goaltending. This has been a consistent theme — San Jose entered the night averaging among the fewest goals per game in the NHL.

Third Period: Penguins Seal It Late

In the final frame, Anthony Mantha doubled Pittsburgh’s lead, converting on another Sharks breakdown. With seconds remaining, Evgeni Malkin added the third goal, putting the game out of reach and sealing yet another defeat for San Jose.

Key Stats & Takeaways

  • Shots on Goal: Penguins 31 – Sharks 26 (approximate/game trend)
  • Power Play Struggles: Sharks remain without a power-play goal in multiple games.
  • Goal Differential: San Jose continues to carry one of the worst in the league (-15 or worse entering the game).
  • Bright Spot: Increased compete level and improved offensive zone entries compared to previous outings.

Despite the loss, the Sharks showed glimpses of competitiveness and depth, particularly among their younger forwards. However, significant work remains — especially on the defensive end — if they hope to end their winless stretch.

What’s Next?

The Sharks now head to the East Coast for a challenging back-to-back against the New York Islanders Tue Oct 21, New York Rangers Thu Oct 23, two disciplined teams with strong forechecking systems. A response will be needed if San Jose wants to avoid an early-season spiral. They will conclude the road trip against the New Jersey Devils on Fri Oct 24.

Sharks apologize for offensive message on scoreboard on Hispanic Heritage night: The Sharks issued an apology for a message that was shown on the video board regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement on the same night that they were celebrating Hispanic heritage night.

The message was displayed on the video board during the first intermission that read, “SJ SHARKS FANS/LOVE ICE !!/GET ‘EM BOYZ !”

The Sharks in a statement said “an offensively worded message which had been externally submitted was inadvertently displayed on the in-arena scoreboard.”

“Sharks Sports & Entertainment deeply regrets that this message, which does not meet our organization’s values, was not detected during our standard review process,” The Sharks in the statement also added. “The Sharks organization sincerely apologizes for this oversight, and we are actively working to determine the origin of the message.”

Bay FC match review: Courage pound Bay 4-1 in home finale

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North Carolina Courage’s Manaka Matsukobo (pink uniform) celebrates one of her three goals against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Oct 17, 2025 (Photo by: John Hefti-Imagn Images)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted their final home game of the 2025 season against the North Carolina Courage on Friday night. With playoffs out of the picture for Bay, they were looking to play spoiler against a team in the fight for a playoff berth.

Manaka Matsukobo and the Courage wasn’t going to give Bay FC that opportunity as it was a tough defeat for Bay 4-1. Matsukobo opened the scoring for North Carolina just three minutes into the match. Five minutes later, she added a second goal, giving the visiting side a 2-0 lead just eight minutes into the match.

Bay FC’s Penelope Hocking brought Bay back into the match during the first half’s stoppage time, taking it into the half with a score of 2-1.

From there, North Carolina continued their offensive production in the second half, as Shinomi Koyama added a goal of her own in the 74th minute. Six minutes later, Matsukobo decided she wasn’t happy with just a brace and scored a third goal to complete the hat trick.

Ultimately, Bay FC wouldn’t be able to get any more goals on the board and lost their final home game of the season, 4-1. Closing out a disappointing string of performances to end the season.

There will be one more road game in the Albertin Montoya era, as Bay FC will head to Kentucky to face Racing Louisville on Nov. 2.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks host Penguins tonight at SAP Center in second of back to back games

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San Jose Sharks left wing Jeff Skinner stretches out to take a shot against the Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) in the first period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Oct 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 The Utah Mammoth’s Nick Schmaltz scored a hat trick with three goals and an assist as the Mammoth defeated the visiting San Jose Sharks 6-3 at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City Friday night.

#2 The Mammoth’s Clayton Keller scored a goal and got three assists and Liam O’Brien and Michael Carcone got goals for the Mammoth.

#3 Utah further stopped the Sharks offense as goaltender Karel Vejmelka saved 18 shots and the Mammoth picked up their third win in four games. The Sharks lose their fourth straight game and remain winless.

#4 The Sharks Tyler Toffoli, Jeff Skinner, and Macklin Celebrini all scored for San Jose but it wasn’t enough falling short in another loss.

#5 The Sharks get another bit at the apple again in the second of back to back games this time against the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins (3-2) on Saturday night at SAP Center in San Jose. The Pens have played .500 hockey in their last four games winning two of their last four. The Penguins beat the LA Kings in their last game Thursday 4-2 in LA. Mary Lisa how do you see these two teams Saturday night?

Join Mary Lisa for the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal handles Belichick and UNC with 21-18 victory; pick up fifth win

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The Cal Bears Jacob De Jesus dives into the end zone for a first quarter touchdown against the UNC Tar Heels at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Fri Oct 17, 2025 (Cal Bears photo by Nancy Paiva)

By Morris Phillips

BEREKELY–The Cal Bears picked up their fifth win of the season improving to 5-2 with a 21-18 win over the UNC Tar Heels (2-4) at Cal Berekley’s Memorial Stadium on Friday night.

The game got off to an ominous start for North Carolina. On the very first play from scrimmage, the Heels fumbled the ball after a short pass, and Cal capitalized quickly. Just four plays later, with only about six minutes gone, Cal freshman quarterback Jaron‑Keawe Sagapolutele scored on a short rushing touchdown to give the Bears a 7‑0 lead.

The Tar Heels answered back with running back Benjamin Hall who took a handoff for an 18‑yard touchdown knotting up the game at 7‑7, giving the struggling Tar Heels some hope. But Cal came right back before the half, as Sagapolutele tossed to wide receiver Jacob De Jesus for a touchdown, and the Bears took a 14‑10 lead.

Third quarter action, Cal got more offensive scoring. The Bears scored on a fourth‑and‑one, when running back Kendrick Raphael took a two yard carry for touchdown, getting Cal up 11 points ahead 21‑10. UNC’s offense tried as hard as they could, but just couldn’t get enough offense and Cal stopped the Tar Heels for much of the third quarter from advancing the ball.

Fourth quarter: North Carolina tried to make a comeback in the game. The Tar Heels cut the Bears lead to 21-18, giving UNC some hope to get within striking distance. UNC couldn’t convert, when receiver Nathan Leacock caught a pass near the goal line but couldn’t get over the line, the Bears defensive back Brent Austin broke it up by knocking the ball out of Leacock’s hands only for Cal’s defensive back to recover the ball in the end zone with just four minutes left in the contest as Cal came away with the win.

Cal came away with the win with four point victory , the game did have some positives for UNC. The Tar Heels improved on defense keeping the game close, and the offense got a good performance from wide receiver Kobe Paysour. UNC errors were costly however when they had an fumble and a goal line fumble earlier. Cal put for their effort put a stop on UNC’s drive showing a strong defense. The Tar Heels continue to have troubles to finish drives. Cal had a number of penalties with nine penalties for 80 yards.

Cal takes on Virginia Tech next Friday Oct 24th at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg VA kick off 4:30pm PT

Dennis Schroeder Leads Kings to Win Over Lakers 117-116

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Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder (17) takes the ball up the floor against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Oct 17, 2025 (Sacramento Kings X photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (1-3) have now finished their four-game pre-season beating the Los Angeles Lakers (1-5) 117-116 Friday night with some very promising play from starters and their bench also showed a lot of promise as well.

A lot of the starters sat this game out with assorted injury, most of them not serious and illness. The high for Sacramento in this game was Dennis Schroeder with 25 points. Every starter turned in double digits. Keon Ellis was terrific off the bench with 20 points hitting six of nine from downtown.

Game recap: The first quarter got underway with the noticeable absence of Keegan Murray who had surgery on Monday for a torn ulnar collateral ligament in this left thumb. He will be out for the start of the season and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.

Domantas Sabonis has been ruled out with a mild right hamstrong strain and Malik Monk out with illness will join him on the sideline. DeMar DeRozan will not play with right groin soreness. After the first twelve minutes of play the Kings had a slim 36-34 lead.

Dylan Cardwell had another nice quarter with four rebounds after coming away from last Wednesday’s game with seven rebounds and four points. Nique Clifford had seven points in the quarter.

As the second quarter came to an end the Los Angeles Lakers outscored the Kings 27-22 taking a 61-58 lead into the locker room. Zach LaVine had yet another nice game scoring 13 points with four rebounds in the half. Keon Ellis had a solid game off the bench scoring 12 points going four of five from downtown.

The Kings had a lot of turnovers in the first half with 11. Both teams were shooting 45% from beyond the arc and Sacramento was 90% from the line. The Kings out-rebounded the Lakers 16-13 doing a nice job on defense.

In the third quarter, the Lakers began to establish a sizable lead 76-65 with 6:34 left on the clock. Sacramento cut the Lakers lead to 76-71 but Los Angeles pushed back taking an 81-71 lead. After three quarters the Lakers held a 90-86 lead. The Kings had five players in double figures but they were still struggling with turnovers committing 16 to the Lakers eight.

This game went into the fourth quarter, the last chance for some of these guys to make a statement, to impress. Keon Ellis was killing it hitting six of seven from beyond the arc mid-way through the quarter; he was on a roll Friday night and finished with six of nine for 20 points. The high for the Kings was Dennis Schroeder with 25 points and every starter in the game had double digits.

Game notes: Friday night the Kings played their fourth pre-season game taking on the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Last Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers in Sacramento as expected both teams played the bench for extended minutes with the Kings Nique Clifford coming away with the high of the night for Sacramento with 19 points in 20 minutes.

Domantas Sabonis showed some signs of coming around with a double double 14 rebounds and 15 points. The best news of all for the Kings this week was the signing of Russell Westbrook to a non-guaranteed one-year deal.

The former MVP and nine-time All-Star led the league in career triple-doubles and was named to the 75th Anniversary Team. Now the Kings will get to see Westbrook and Malik Monk off the bench creating all kinds of havoc. This will be a great way for the Kings to go into the 2025-26 season. This will also create an added dynamic on the bench for Keon Ellis and Devin Carter to have to deal with.

The Kings will now make a lot of decisions as they determine their starting lineup as well as their bench. Wednesday night October 22nd the Kings will kick off their season at Mortgage Matchup Center taking on the Phoenix Suns. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Mammoth Win 6-3 As Schmaltz Slays Sharks With Hat Trick

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Utah Mammoth center Liam O’Brien (38) celebrates his goal with left wing Brandon Tenev (13) against the San Jose Sharks in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Fri Oct 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Nick Schmaltz recorded 3 goals and an assist and Liam O’Brien scored his first career Utah goal in a 6-3 victory over San Jose.

The Utah Mammoth (2-2-0) welcomed the San Jose Sharks (0-1-2) to Delta Center on Friday night for their first encounter of the season. All three games between the two teams last season were decided by a single goal, with San Jose winning their first matchup in Salt Lake City, overcoming a 4-1 deficit in the 3rd period and stealing the win in overtime, and Utah prevailing in the other two.

The Sharks put themselves in an early hole as tripping penalties a minute apart by Nick Leddy and Dmitry Orlov gave the Mammoth a 5-3 advantage. A half minute into the dual penalties, Utah forward Nick Schmaltz ripped a snap shot past San Jose netminder Yaroslav Askarov for his first goal of the season, assisted by Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller. At 13:31 of the first, Schmaltz made it 2-0 with another wicked shot, assisted again by Keller, which marks the fastest two goals in franchise history at 3:52 apart. It would be nearly 12 minutes into the game before the Sharks would record their first shot on goal. Karel Vejmelka turned away all 7 San Jose shots in the period, while Askarov stopped 10 of 12.

San Jose came out swinging in the second period with a burst of energy. At 4:33 Jack McBain was called for interference against Jeff Skinner, and on the ensuing power play Tyler Toffoli cut the Sharks deficit in half with his second goal of the season, assisted by Dmitry Orlov and Will Smith. Less than two minutes later, Jeff Skinner netted his third goal of the season, assisted by Macklin Celebrini and Vincent Desharnais, to tie things up 2-2. With just under four minutes remaining in the period, however, Mammoth forward Liam O’Brien scooped up a puck in front of the net and wrapped it past Askarov to reclaim Utah’s lead 3-2, with new acquisition Brandon Tanev recording his first point on the assist. For O’Brien, a feisty fan-favorite who missed the first four games of this season due to injury, it was his first career Utah goal having been kept out of the opposition net in 28 games during the team’s inaugural season.

Less than a minute into the third frame, Mammoth forward Nick Schmaltz put the puck past Askarov again for his second career hat trick, and the first of the season for the Utah Mammoth, to increase the lead to 4-2. Schmaltz noted after the game that his grandfather has seen him play twice in the NHL, and he scored a hat trick both times. The only other hat trick in Utah franchise history came last season by Barrett Hayton against the Los Angeles Kings on February 22, 2025. At 3:25 of the third, Mammoth forward Michael Carcone took advantage of an Alexander Wennberg giveaway to record his first goal of the season, assisted by Lawson Crouse, to put the Mammoth up 5-2. Utah wasn’t done, however. Just past the halfway mark of the period, Schmaltz returned the earlier favors, feeding captain Clayton Keller for his first goal of the season, with an additional assist by Barrett Hayton, to give the Mammoth a commanding 6-2 lead. At 16:51 of the third, with Dylan Guenther in the sin bin for cross-checking against Collin Graf, Macklin Celebrini scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Skinner and Wennberg, to bring the Sharks within three but there would be no 3rd period comeback this time as Utah claimed its third win of the season while San Jose falls to 0-2-2. Vejmelka finished the night turning away 18 of 21 shots for the win.

After the game in the visitor locker room, San Jose Sharks Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky addressed the third period meltdown. “We give up that one, Asky was the one behind out there, and then we just sat in our heels there a little bit in the third and that’s what good teams will do to you. … I thought there was good energy in the bench heading into the period. In the guys’ dressing room, we were saying the right things, but we have to start doing the right things.”

Sharks Defenseman Mario Ferraro echoed Warsofsky’s remarks. “We were back on our heels too early. We’ve got to start with the opposite and put them back on their heels. Obviously it’s a road game, but we’ve got to be even tighter in situations like that. I think just playing simple and getting pucks in and getting pucks out are really important. They put a lot of pressure on us, especially in the neutral zone. They came through the neutral zone with a lot of speed, so if we’re as tight as we can be next time in these road buildings to be tight and gapped up and not give them that time and space, maybe they’ll help us out a little bit. But for sure, our start wasn’t good enough tonight.”

It was no surprise that Nick Schmaltz and Liam O’Brien were selected to speak with the media in the winning locker room after the game. Talking about his hat trick, Schmaltz said, “Yeah, it was good. I feel like I’ve had a lot of chances early on in the season here and trying to shoot the puck more, take it to the net, be around the net more. A couple guys made some great plays by me in open areas, and it was fun to see a couple go in there. … It was awesome, especially in front of our home fans and shoutout to my grandpa, he’s been here. He’s watched me play two times now, in Arizona and here, and he’s seen a hat trick both times, so it’s pretty cool and special to have him here. Shout out to him.”

O’Brien talked about his emotions after scoring his first goal at Delta Center. “There’s a little sense of relief. Took longer than I wanted, but felt good, and I’m just happy we got the win too. … That second period was a little ugly for us. We didn’t like it, and we had a chat in between periods, and we fixed it. We came out and you see our top guys, turn it on like that, and you see how good those guys are. So, I thought we responded really well in that third period.”

Utah Mammoth Head Coach André Tourigny addressed his team’s performance in his opening statement. “I liked the first and the third, obviously, wasn’t in love with the second, but extremely proud of the way the boys reacted in the third. There was a lot of maturity, a lot of focus, and we played it right away. We put the puck behind, and we got a reward early, great play by Kells’ line, putting the puck deep and going on the forecheck. So that’s good” Commenting on Nick Schmaltz’s performance, Tourigny commented, “Honestly since the start of the season he’s been playing really good. You know, he had a lot of opportunities. He reloaded really well on both sides of the puck. He’s a trap. He’s inside a lot. Has a lot of opportunities inside. So it was a matter of time. I had a chat with him yesterday, saying, yeah, just do the right thing when you have those numbers and scoring chances, it’s because you’re doing the right thing, and it will come. Today was the day.” He was particularly pleased with the offensive effort of his squad. “I like the way we have generated offense lately, or the last two games I should say, you know, I have a ton of trust in our team. I know if we do the right thing and we go inside goals will come. I think what’s important is the win, six goals is always great. But more importantly, the way we responded in the third period and we left no doubt, that’s the way.”

Utah (3-2-0) will go for its third straight home victory to open the season on Sunday as they face off against the Boston Bruins (3-2-0).

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez Fri Oct 17, 2025: Sharks in search for first win face Utah tonight at Delta Center

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AP File–San Jose Sharks goaltender Yarslov Askarov (30) defends against a shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second period on Mon Jan 27, 2025 at SAP Center in San Jose. The Sharks face off against the Utah Mammoth in Utah Fri Oct 17, 2025 in the first of back to back games. They face the Pittsburgh Penguins in San Jose Sat Oct 18, 2025.

San Jose Sharks podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 The San Jose Sharks who are looking for that first win of the 25-26 season were dropped by the Carolina Hurricanes in their last game by a whopping 5-1.

#2 The Hurricanes damage against the Sharks came by William Carrier and Eric Robinson who who both scored withing four and half minutes of each other in the second period. How badly did the Sharks defense let down on those goals?

#3 The Sharks William Eklund scored the only goal for San Jose. The Sharks offense on Wednesday didn’t crash the net enough you covered the game what did you see of the break down on offense?

#4 Sharks goaltender Alex Nedelijkovic was overwhelmed in net. He faced 43 shots and saved 38 of them allowing five goals. Was this a matter of not enough protection from the skaters up front or was it a matter of Nedelijkovic having an off game?

#5 The Sharks are in Utah Friday (tonight) at the Delta Center. The Mammoth (2-2) come into this game at .500. Their most recent win Wednesday beating the Calgary Flames 3-1. The Mammoth started their first three games on the road and opened up against Calgary last Wednesday. The Sharks played their first two games on the road and one at home.

Lincoln Juarez does the San Jose Sharks podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Westbrook could be waived at anytime signs for 25-26 for $3.6 M; Murray key player for the future

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Sacramento Kings Keegan Murray throws down against the Toronto Raptors in the first half on opening night at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Wed Oct 8, 2025. The Kings tip off against the Los Angeles Lakers Fri Oct 17, 2025 at Staples in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Just wanted to get started with the two big signing by the Sacramento Kings on Thursday we’ll start first with former Los Angeles Laker and OKC Thunder player and the newest King Russell Westbrook?

#2 Next up is Keegan Murray who signed a $140 million extension through the 2030-31 season. Murray has made 150 three pointers in his last three season.

#3 The Kings look to Murray as their top man on defense. Murray has averaged 15.2 points per game. Murray scored 12.4 points per game last year.

#4 From just the team prospective talk about their excitement from the standpoint they now have the experienced Westbrook who can provide offense and leadership and with Murray who is all sewed up with Sacramento through 2030.

#5 Next up for the Kings they tip off against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight at Staple Center in LA. Talk about some of the things that Kings head coach Doug Christie will be looking for in this one tonight?

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Kings podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Can Cal beat Bill Belichick and UNC this Friday at UC Berkeley?

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UNC Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines working the play calling against the Clemson Tigers at Chapel Hill NC on Sat Oct 4, 2025. Belichick and UNC will face the Cal Bears on Fri Oct 17, 2025 at UC Berkeley at Memorial Stadium with a 7:30pm PT kick off (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Can Cal’s defense, especially its pass defense, contain whatever UNC throws at them?

#2 How much will the Bears running back Kendrick Raphael be involved, and can he break big runs?

#3 How well can the inside linebacker duo of Cal’s Cade Uluave and Luke Ferrelli manage UNC’s offense?

#4 Will Cal’s playmakers on offense — tight end Mason Mini, receiver Jacob De Jesus, and WR Jordan King — step up in a big game?

#5 UNC has struggled in their last two games losing by scores of 38-10 to Clemson and 34-9 to University . That said should this game be a cake walk for Cal or Cal better be ready for some UNC head coach Bill Belichick football?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mammoth Extinguish Flames 3-1 In Home Opener

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Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) scores against the Calgary Flames in the second period at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Wed Oct 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

Mammoth Extinguish Flames 3-1 In Home Opener

JJ Peterka nets game-winner in Delta Center debut as Karel Vejmelka locks down the Utah net.

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–The Utah Mammoth returned to Salt Lake City Wednesday night for their home opener following a 1-2-0 road trip through Colorado, Nashville, and Chicago to begin the 2025-2026 NHL season. For the second straight year, Utah forward Dylan Guenther scored the team’s first goal of the season, this time in a 2-1 loss to the Avalanche on October 9.

Before the puck drop at Delta Center, Tusky the Mountain Blue mammoth made its mascot debut, officially ending the double duties of Jazz Bear from the city’s NBA squad.

At 7:21 of the first period, Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev went to the sin bin for high-sticking Blake Coleman. Just over a minute later, Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson cashed it in to give the Flames an early 1-0 lead, assisted by Morgan Frost and Nazem Kadri. Calgary netminder Devin Cooley, no relation to Utah’s Logan Cooley, turned away all ten shots he faced in the opening frame while Karel Vejmelka stopped four of the five shots he faced.

It didn’t take long in the second period for Utah to even the score. At 1:16 of the period, Mammoth forward Barrett Hayton found the back of the Calgary net for his first goal of the season, assisted by Nick Schmaltz and John Marino. Three minutes later, JJ Peterka took advantage of a giveaway by Brayden Pachal and flew the full length of the ice before beating Devin Cooley unassisted for his second goal of the season and a new entry into the Mammoth highlight reels to give Utah the 2-1 lead. The second period was all Mammoth as the home squad put 18 shots on goal to Calgary’s three.

The Flames fought back in the third period, outshooting Utah 12-4, but both netminders held the line until Devin Cooley got pulled to give Calgary a 6-5 offensive advantage. The Flames peppered Karel Vejmelka with shots in the closing minutes, but Utah forward Kevin Stenlund banked a rebound off the dasher boards and into the empty Calgary net for his first goal of the season to put the game away.

New acquired forward JJ Peterka faced the media in the locker room for the first time after the game. Describing his first home opener as a Mammoth, Peterka said, “The crowd throughout the whole game was unbelievable. Started with the anthem in the warmups, with how many kids and how many fans came out. Just throughout the whole game, when we needed energy, we for sure got it from the crowd.” As for the game itself, the winger added, “I think that was a tough game, but we stuck to our game plan throughout the whole 60 minutes. We knew they were going to make a push and throw everything in there, and I think Veggie was unbelievable throughout the whole game, but especially in the third, he made some huge stops to secure the win.” With regard to Calgary’s third period push, Peterka commented, “We kind of played a little bit more defensively, made sure we are in the shot lanes and in passing lanes, and outweighed them because we knew they come pretty hot out of the locker room.”

Winning goaltender Karel Vejmelka was asked about getting that first W at home. “Obviously, first home game of the season, so we wanted to play a good game and we did. We found a way to win. It wasn’t an easy game. But like I said, we found a way.” Having faced only 8 shots combined in the first two periods, Vejmelka was asked about staying focused while being largely uncontested for much of the game. He responded, “You know, it’s all about staying sharp and mentally focused. It wasn’t easy for us in the first period, but [there was] pressure in the third and we played a really good job defensively, but I needed to make a couple of good saves. It’s a big team win. As for the energy of the fans on opening night, the Utah netminder said, “Well, it’s always fun to play again in front of our fans. It’s so much fun and I enjoy every minute on the ice. It’s really special to be back home, and really appreciated all of that.”

Utah Mammoth Head Coach André Tourigny began the postgame interview with a statement. “It was a positive outing, and lots of opportunities. Unfortunately, we could not convert, but it was a positive outing. And then the third, they had a really good push, but I liked the way we managed it defensively. We turned the puck over a little bit too much when we were protecting the lead, a little bit too safe. But our game in general, when it comes to the physicality, balancing, the hits, and trying not to draw penalties.” Talking about giving up Calgary’s early goal, Tourigny commented, “I think we reacted well after the first. In the first, it was a war, maybe a little bit too into it. But after we reacted really well. I really like the mental strength of our team, and even when they had the push, we still played well. When you dominate the way we dominate for two periods, and you arrive in the third, and they have a push, I didn’t feel any panic. The guys were trying to do the right thing, not necessarily having success at it, but we’re doing the right thing, and we defended really hard. So that’s tough for them to get to our net front, but when they did, Veggie came up big.” Overall, Tourigny was satisfied with his team’s performance for the night. “Our forecheck was big, and I think that when we’re on top of our opponent and we skate the way we did in the first two periods, we are tough to play against, and we drew a lot of penalties. That’s a really good game for us. … Part of playing good defense is that you need to be able to break out the puck a little bit better than we did in the third. It was a strength of ours in the first two periods. In the third, it was a little bit tougher. And they obviously pressed a bit differently than they did in other situations. So it put us in a little bit of some adversity, which is something we will talk more about and improve, but the way we played without the puck was really good, and much more comfortable.”

The Mammoth return to action at the Delta Center on Friday against the San Jose Sharks, continuing with games next week against the Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche to conclude the season opening homestand.