Mammoth 5–4 Flyers (OT): Clayton Keller Scores Late Equalizer and Overtime Winner in Stunning Comeback
The Utah Mammoth pulled off an incredible comeback, rallying from a 4–1 deficit to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5–4 in overtime at Delta Center. Clayton Keller was the star of the show, scoring the game-tying goal with 35 seconds remaining in regulation and then finishing the job at 2:01 of OT, giving Utah its fourth straight victory.
The Mammoth improved to 26–20–4, extending their point streak to eight games (7–0–1) and completing a seven-game homestand at 6–0–1. Philadelphia, meanwhile, dropped to 23–17–9 and has now lost seven of eight (1–5–2), a troubling stretch for their playoff positioning.
Flyers Build a 4–1 Lead
Philadelphia dominated early in what looked like a comfortable win.
First-Period Scoring:
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0:30 – PHI 1–0 UTA: Cam York opened the scoring, tapping in a rebound from Travis Sanheim’s shot.
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4:36 – PHI 2–0 UTA: Christian Dvorak converted a backhand-forehand move off a pass from Travis Konecny.
Later, Dvorak added a second goal and Bobby Brink also scored, giving the Flyers a 4–1 cushion midway through the third period. For long stretches, Philadelphia controlled the pace with aggressive forechecking and clinical finishing.
Mammoth’s Third-Period Rally
The Mammoth mounted a furious comeback in the final 10 minutes. JJ Peterka, Lawson Crouse, and Barrett Hayton scored, cutting the deficit and setting up a dramatic finish.
A key sequence occurred at 18:33 of the third period: Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway had an empty-net opportunity to make it 5–3, but Nick Schmaltz’s backcheck and puck strip kept Utah alive.
Clayton Keller Takes Over:
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19:25 – Keller ties it 4–4: Keller cut in from the left boards and lifted a backhand over Samuel Ersson’s glove, sending the game to overtime.
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2:01 OT – Keller wins it 5–4: Off a feed from Dylan Guenther, Keller snapped a shot from the slot for the game-winning goal, completing the Mammoth’s stunning comeback.
Keller finished with two goals and one assist, while Schmaltz and Guenther each recorded two assists, playing crucial roles in the Mammoth’s surge.
Box Score Highlights
Utah Mammoth (5):
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Clayton Keller: 2 goals, 1 assist – OT winner and late equalizer.
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JJ Peterka, Lawson Crouse, Barrett Hayton: 1 goal each – depth scoring fueled the comeback.
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Nick Schmaltz & Dylan Guenther: 2 assists each – pivotal in transition and late plays.
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Karel Vejmelka: 25 saves on 29 shots.
Philadelphia Flyers (4):
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Christian Dvorak: 2 goals, 1 assist – strong night undermined by collapse.
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Cam York & Bobby Brink: 1 goal each.
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Samuel Ersson: Allowed 5 goals, including two in the final 35 seconds and OT.
Takeaways From Flyers vs Mammoth
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Utah’s Resilience: The Mammoth erased a three-goal deficit, extended their point streak, and finished a seven-game homestand undefeated in regulation (6–0–1), solidifying their status as one of the league’s hottest teams.
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Clayton Keller’s Clutch Factor: Keller’s two late goals and overall impact showcase him as Utah’s go-to closer in tight games.
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Philadelphia’s Collapse: Leading 4–1 with an empty-net chance at 18:33, the Flyers failed to close out the game, highlighting struggles during a 1–5–2 skid.
Final Score by Period:
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flyers | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Mammoth | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 |