The Sharks exploded for six goals in the first two periods and fully took advantage of a struggling Utah Mammoth team in a 6-3 victory in the season-series finale between these two clubs.
Before the start of this game, the Sharks honored S.J. Sharkie in a pregame ceremony for being inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame this year. Early in the opening period, the Sharks struck first on Tyler Toffoli’s sixth goal of the season to snap a lengthy goalless drought for him, assisted by Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini. Soon after, the Sharks extended their lead to two on a power play deflection goal by Pavol Regenda for his first goal as a Shark, assisted by Philipp Kurashev and Dmitry Orlov. The Mammoth then responded via Lawson Crouse to get themselves on the board and cut the Sharks’ lead to one. Later in the first period, Tyler Toffoli scored his second goal of the game and seventh of the season to make it 3-1, assisted by Macklin Celebrini. J.J. Peterka scored to get the Mammoth back within one a bit after.
Team Teal rattled off three unanswered goals in the second period to make it 6-2 and take complete control of this contest. The first of these three second-period goals was one of the most impressive goals that Will Smith has ever scored, in which he dangled around and broke two Utah defenders’ ankles in the process. Macklin Celebrini picked up his third assist of the night, while Tyler Toffoli collected an assist and his third point of the night on Will Smith’s 11th goal of the season. The second of three Sharks middle-frame goals was Adam Gaudette’s seventh goal of the season, assisted by William Eklund, while the third of these three goals was Will Smith’s second goal of the night and 12th of the season, assisted by Tyler Toffoli for the latter’s second assist and fourth point of the game. The Mammoth added one more in the third period on a shorthanded tally from Lawson Crouse for his second goal of the game to make it a three-goal contest, but things were practically decided midway through the middle frame.
Yaroslav Askarov’s brilliance in November has carried over to start December, compiling 31 saves on 34 shots against. In addition, Vincent Desharnais was placed on injured reserve, and Pavol Regenda was recalled from the Barracuda.
This is a huge, necessary, and complete win for the Sharks to take the season series over the Utah Mammoth two games to one. It was certainly the best and biggest performance from the sleepover line of Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Tyler Toffoli so far. Toffoli broke his goalless drought in a huge way, scoring two goals and adding two assists as well. Will Smith has five goals in his last three games, including two tonight against the Mammoth and his first goal of this game being one for the highlight reels. Macklin Celebrini added three assists to bring his point total to 40 in his sophomore campaign. On top of that, the Sharks’ latest call-up in Pavol Regenda scored his first goal in teal and his first NHL goal in just over three years. I have every reason to believe that the Sharks can maintain their current outstanding level of play through much of December and beyond. Next up, San Jose hosts Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at 7 pm PT.
Sources: Sharks Audio Network, NHL App, Locked on Sharks
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