**Senators Edge Mammoth 4-2 in NHL Battle**
OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Leevi Merilainen made 29 saves in his third NHL start as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Utah Mammoth 4-2 on Sunday night. Both teams were concluding back-to-back game sets.
The Mammoth had fallen 6-2 in Montreal on Saturday, while the Senators secured a hard-fought 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers that same day.
Nick Cousins, Ridly Greig, Jordan Spence, and Michael Amadio all found the back of the net for Ottawa in the opener of a four-game homestand. Amadio is on a streak, having scored in each of his last four games.
For Utah, Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller scored, and Vitek Vanecek made 21 saves. The Mammoth suffered their third straight loss to finish a challenging four-game road trip. After a thrilling overtime win in Buffalo, Utah was defeated in Toronto, Montreal, and now Ottawa.
A key moment came early in the third period when Utah appeared to tie the game at 3-3. Jack McBain, diving on the ice, poked a loose puck into the net; however, the goal was waved off due to incidental contact.
**What’s Next**
– Mammoth: Host Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.
– Senators: Host Dallas Stars on Tuesday night.
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*AP NHL*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/merilainen-makes-29-saves-3rd-030934964.html