Hot start propels Mammoth past Senators

Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka had a 32-save night as his team battled for a 3-1 win against the visiting Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night.

Lawson Crouse, John Marino and Daniil But all scored, and Clayton Keller tallied two assists for the Mammoth, who have won three of their last four games. Utah was outshot 33-21 in the win.

Ridly Greig scored for the Senators, who have lost two straight games. Leevi Merilainen made 18 saves after being pulled in his previous start for allowing three goals on nine shots.

Crouse put Utah on the board 1-0 at 3:59 of the first period. Keller set up the play as he skated around Ottawa's net and set Crouse up in front of the net for a backhanded shot.

Marino increased the lead to 2-0 at 7:20 when Keller set him up for a slap shot. Utah scored its first two goals on four shots, while Ottawa was held without a shot on goal for the first 5:16 of the opening frame.

Jake Sanderson attempted to put the Senators on the board with 7:14 in the first, but his snap shot rang off the crossbar. He later tallied the secondary assist when Grieg scored on a rebound to get Ottawa on the board 2-1 at 17:41.

Both teams drew three penalties in the second period, but neither scored a goal over the six power-play opportunities. Ottawa outshot Utah 14-5 in the second.

But made it 3-1 at 5:42 of the third period. Brandon Tanev's wraparound attempt was denied by Merilainen, but the puck was never frozen, and the Mammoth worked away until But wristed the loose puck into the net. The Senators challenged for goaltender interference, but the goal stood.