SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The Utah Mammoth scored three times in the third period to pull away from the Winnipeg Jets for a 5-3 victory on Tuesday night at Delta Center. Nick Schmaltz led Utah with two goals, including a pivotal score early in the third for a 3-1 lead. JJ Peterka followed 26 seconds later, and Alexander Kerfoot added an empty-netter. Logan Cooley had a goal and an assist for the Mammoth. Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele each had a goal and an assist, but the Jets’ late rally fell short before an announced crowd of 12,478. Utah (43-38) outshot Winnipeg (35-46) 32-28. The total of eight goals went over the pregame over/under line of 5.5.

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The Utah Mammoth erupted for three third-period goals to break open a tight game and defeat the Winnipeg Jets 5-3 on Tuesday night at Delta Center. Nick Schmaltz scored twice, including the go-ahead goal early in the final frame, and added an assist to lead a balanced Utah attack before an announced crowd of 12,478. The victory improved the Mammoth’s record to 43-38, while the Jets fell to 35-46. The game was a seesaw affair through 40 minutes before Utah’s depth took over. Tied 2-2 entering the third, Schmaltz netted his second of the night just 1:16 into the period, converting a feed from Logan Cooley to give Utah a lead it would not relinquish. Just 26 seconds later, JJ Peterka wristed a shot past Winnipeg goaltender Eric Comrie to extend the advantage to 4-2. Winnipeg’s Mark Scheifele cut the deficit to one with a power-play goal at 16:36 of the third, assisted by Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. The Jets pressed for the equalizer, but Alexander Kerfoot sealed the victory for Utah with an empty-net goal in the final minutes. Utah opened the scoring in the first period when Cooley, the Pittsburgh native, finished a backhand chance at 8:05, assisted by defenseman Nate Schmidt. Winnipeg answered in the second period on Connor’s 39th goal of the season, a wrist shot at 14:09 that tied the game 1-1. The Mammoth regained the lead less than five minutes later on a power play, with Schmaltz firing home his first of the night off setups from Mikhail Sergachev and Dylan Guenther at 18:54. The Jets’ Isak Rosen scored his sixth of the season late in the third to provide the final margin. Comrie made 44 saves in a busy night for the Winnipeg netminder, facing a relentless Utah forecheck that generated 49 shots. At the other end, Karel Vejmelka stopped 30 of 33 shots to earn the win. The game was a penalty-filled contest, with the teams combining for eight infractions. Winnipeg was cited six times, including a slashing call on Jonathan Toews in the third period that Utah could not convert. The Mammoth went 1 for 6 on the power play, while the Jets were 1 for 2. Michael Carcone, named the game’s top star for Utah, was held off the scoresheet but provided a physical presence. Key performances for the Mammoth included Cooley with a goal and an assist, and Kerfoot with the clinching empty-netter. For Winnipeg, Connor finished with a goal and an assist, and Scheifele added a goal and an assist. The loss continued a difficult stretch for the Jets, who have dropped two straight and seven of their last ten games. Winnipeg’s road record continues to be a hindrance in a season that will end without a playoff berth. Utah, meanwhile, has won three of its last five as it plays out the final games of its schedule. The game’s outcome slightly exceeded the projection from National Statistical’s game simulator, which had predicted a 4-3 Utah victory. The total of eight goals sailed over the pregame over/under line of 5.5. The Jets conclude their road trip and their season on Thursday when they host the San Jose Sharks. The Mammoth will also be in action on Thursday, hosting the St. Louis Blues in their season finale.

SALT LAKE CITY (Interstat) — The Utah Mammoth look to solidify their playoff positioning when they host the struggling Winnipeg Jets at Delta Center on Tuesday night. Utah (42-38-0) enters the matchup holding the final Western Conference wild-card spot, seeking consistency after a 4-1 loss at Calgary on Sunday snapped a brief two-game win streak. The Mammoth have been potent offensively, averaging 4.2 goals over their last five contests. Winnipeg (35-44-0), eliminated from postseason contention, aims to rebound from a 7-1 home thrashing by Philadelphia on Saturday. The Jets had shown life with a 5-1-0 run prior to that defeat but have lost both meetings with Utah this season, including a 4-3 overtime decision here on Dec. 21. A key matchup will feature wingers on opposite trajectories. Utah’s Lawson Crouse has been a force, recording six goals and eight points in his last 10 games, including a goal in Sunday’s loss. His physical, net-front presence will challenge Winnipeg’s defense. For the Jets, Cole Koepke will be relied upon to spark the offense. He has a goal and two assists in his last 10 outings, but was a rare bright spot in the Philadelphia loss, notching an assist and three shots. His recent energy—logging 21 shots and 12 hits over that 10-game span—will be needed against a heavy Utah forecheck. According to National Statistical, the Mammoth are projected favorites with a 53.9% win probability. The game simulator predicts a 4-3 Utah victory. The Mammoth continue a critical homestand Thursday against St. Louis. Winnipeg returns home to face San Jose the same night.