SALT LAKE CITY — In an exciting matchup on Monday evening, Alexander Wennberg netted a power-play goal just 1:26 into overtime, leading the San Jose Sharks to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. This marked San Jose’s first win of the season, ending their early struggles.
Fabian Zetterlund shone for the Sharks, contributing two goals to the scoreline, while teammates Mikael Granlund and Tyler Toffoli also found the back of the net. Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood played a vital role in the win, making 19 saves throughout the game.
For the Utah Hockey Club, Matias Maccelli was a standout performer, scoring two goals. Dylan Guenther and Mikhail Sergachev added to Utah’s tally, but despite a valiant effort, the team faced its fourth consecutive defeat. Connor Ingram, the club’s goalie, was busy in the crease, posting an impressive 41 saves.
The Sharks demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming a three-goal deficit late in the third period. Toffoli’s quick snap shot at 2:42 remaining in regulation equalized the game, following quick strikes from Zetterlund and Granlund just 25 seconds apart, sparking a dramatic comeback.
Takeaways from the game showed the Sharks previously averaging only 2.0 goals across their opening nine games before finding their stride against Utah. For Utah, a series of late defensive lapses contributed to their struggles, pushing them into their fifth overtime game of the season and delivering another heart-wrenching loss.
A pivotal moment in the match was Zetterlund’s second goal, a simple tap-in from just five feet out. This goal ignited a scoring spree for San Jose, which saw them net four goals within the last six minutes of play.
In terms of significance, San Jose broke its nine-game winless streak (0-7-2), successfully avoiding the historical misstep of becoming the first NHL team to start consecutive seasons with a ten-game winless streak.
Looking ahead, the Sharks are set to embark on a five-game homestand, kicking off against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, while the Utah team will prepare to face off against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.