Alex Killorn and the Ducks Beat the Mammoth to Extend Their Division Lead
Ducks Defeat Mammoth 4-1 to Strengthen Division Lead
In a decisive victory on Friday night, the Anaheim Ducks triumphed over the Utah Mammoth with a score of 4-1. The win, bolstered by Alex Killorn’s go-ahead goal at 9:09 in the second period, allows the Ducks to extend their lead in the Pacific Division.
The play unfolded when the puck was cleared off the goal line behind Utah goalie Vitek Vanecek. Ducks player Beckett Sennecke gathered the puck on the left side and successfully set up Killorn for a quick shot, catching Vanecek off guard. Killorn also contributed with two assists during the match.
Joining Killorn on the scoreboard were Ryan Poehling, Cutter Gauthier, and Mikael Granlund, who each found the net, helping the Ducks recover from a recent 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. This victory places Anaheim three points ahead of the Edmonton Oilers in the division standings.
The Ducks played without suspended defenseman Radko Gudas, who is serving a five-game suspension for kneeing Auston Matthews in a game against Toronto on March 12. Matthews suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee, ending his season prematurely.
Poehling’s goal tied the game with 6:23 remaining in the first period, demonstrating skill as he converted a shorthanded breakaway after receiving a pass from Killorn. He maneuvered down the left side, cut to the right, and shot against the grain.
The Ducks sealed the win with two empty-net goals, with Gauthier netting his 36th goal. During the match, Dylan Guenther scored for Utah, marking his 34th goal of the season early in the first period.
With this outcome, the Mammoth remain six points ahead of the Kings for the first wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Utah, opening a four-game homestand, is looking to build on recent successes after winning back-to-back games against Dallas and Vegas.
