In order to beat strong divisional opponents, it requires strong performances. And in arguably its most intense game of the season, the Mammoth came away poising, winning a tight 2-1 contest over the Dallas Stars.
The game began as a defensive affair that showed both teams taking turns locking down the other. The pressure was high and the space between players shrunk, feeling like as close to a playoff game as you can get in the regular season.
After all, it took 39:53 before either team even was able to score a goal: it truly was shaping up to be a game where any deflection could turn into a game-defining play. But who was going to get that play?
Though Mikko Rantanen's game-tying power play goal in the third had potential to sway momentum in Dallas' favor for the rest of the game, John Marino quickly stole it back with a jaw dropping play of his own.
What looked like a surefire save from Jake Oettinger suddenly turned into the game defining goal that would give Utah a 2-1 and eventually a win.
Riding Oettinger shoulder like a roller coaster, the puck suddenly flew into the air, way above the crossbar and out of sight of any play on the ice. Nobody, not even Marino, could have seen what was coming next.
After achieving orbit above the rink, the puck made its descent back down, landing perfectly behind the unsuspecting Oettinger as it eventually rolled past the goal line to give the lead back to the Mammoth.
Thanks to Marino's shot unique trajectory, the Mammoth effectively responded to Rantanen's goal and took the lead for good.
"We knew they were gonna have a push," said Nick Schmaltz. "They make plays. It's the NHL, they're gonna have to push back. We didn't let it phase us, and we were able to respond pretty quickly after that.”
But it wasn't just the response from Marino and Schamltz- who registered an assist on the play-that got Utah a win, it was also its continued commitment on the defensive end.
As time winded down in the third period, Utah kept its pressure high all while playing clean, penatly-free hockey, not giving Rantanen any more power play opportunities to tie the game for a second time.
And with Karel Vejmelka having yet another sharp performance on way to his 26 save performance, Dallas was having a hard time breaking through without a man advantage.
Eventually, Dallas found itself with no other choice but to empty out its net and send an extra attacker itself. Time was running out and the Stars were desperate for a goal. All Utah needed to do was survive 3:23 if it wanted to win this game.
Though no pucks would find the back of Dallas' empty net, the combination of Vejmelka's timely saves and consistent clearing from Mammoth proved to be too much for the Stars to overcome.
"I think everyone didn't panic too much, whether the guys were out there, tired, everyone on the bench, no one was screaming, shouting, everyone was pretty comfortable with the situation," said Marino. "So we learn from that and go forward."
Now with points in eight of its last nine games, Utah's finally has found the consistent play it been looking for ever since its seven game win streak back in October.
Not only that, but the team is elevating its play on all fronts. Whether it's the team responding well to line changes with effective play or Vejmelka's personal five game win streak, the Mammoth is playing like a team hungry for a spot in the playoffs.
“I think we were poised, but had intensity," said André Tourigny. "It's always that you want to be calm, but you want to be intense. You want to be patient, but you want to be aggressive. It's the same as wanting to be poised, but you want to be urgent. So I think we achieved that. The boys were in control, but really intense. They were urgent, but in control with some good poise.”
The Mammoth are going to keep winning to keep its current Wild Card position. But with the newfound consistency and intensity it's been playing with game-to-game, Utah will certainly make a playoff run.