SALT LAKE CITY – Nick Schmaltz had a night to remember, breaking his goal drought from the first four games of the season with the Utah Mammoth against the San Jose Sharks. Schmaltz shined with three goals and an assist, leading the Mammoth to a 6-3 victory, thus adding their third win in four games.
Utah coach Andre Tourigny had anticipated Schmaltz’s scoring awakening.I feel like I’ve had a lot of opportunities at the start of the season. I’m trying to shoot more on goal, go more to the net, be closer to the net. A couple of teammates made great plays to find me in open areas. It was fun to see them go in.
Nick Schmaltz
Schmaltz opened the scoring at 9:39 of the first period, taking advantage of a pass from Logan Cooley on a five-on-three power play. Less than four minutes later, Schmaltz scored his second goal of the night, receiving a pass from Clayton Keller and sending the puck into the top left corner. The Sharks tied the score with two goals in the second period. After Liam O’Brien put Utah ahead again, Schmaltz completed his second hat-trick of his career at 54 seconds of the third period, assisted by Keller, to make the score 4-2.Since the start of the season, he’s been playing very well. He’s had many opportunities. He reloads very well, on both sides of the puck, he’s a threat. He gets involved a lot. It was a matter of time… today was the day.
Andre Tourigny
Schmaltz then assisted Keller for a goal, increasing the Mammoth’s lead to 6-2.It was incredible, especially in front of our local fans. A shoutout to my grandfather, who has seen me play twice, in Arizona and here, and has seen a hat-trick on both occasions.
Nick Schmaltz
Just a ‘give-and-go’. I saw him open and he made a great shot to finish.
Nick Schmaltz
