UPDATE: Logan Cooley delivered an explosive performance, scoring twice in the first 3:29 as the Utah Mammoth dominated the Minnesota Wild with a 6-2 victory on Saturday night in St. Paul, Minnesota. This win marks the Mammoth’s sixth consecutive game triumph, further solidifying their position in the league.
Just 56 seconds into the game, Cooley, a former standout at the University of Minnesota, showcased his skill by backhanding the puck out of midair, giving Utah an early 1-0 lead. His second goal came on a power play at the 3:29 mark, capitalizing on a slashing penalty against Minnesota’s Yakov Trenin.
The Mammoth swiftly extended their lead to 3-0 when Nick Schmaltz scored his sixth goal of the season, just five minutes into the match. This early dominance set the tone for Utah’s decisive victory.
Minnesota’s veteran forward Marcus Johansson battled back, scoring twice to narrow the gap. His first goal came with 4:21 left in the first period, a powerful one-timer from teammate Zeev Buium. Johansson, who had struggled earlier this season with just one goal, found the net again late in the second period, closing the score to 3-2 with a power-play goal.
Despite Minnesota’s attempts at a comeback, the Mammoth continued to assert their dominance. JJ Peterka made it 4-2 with 6:23 left in the third, followed by Schmaltz’s second goal, pushing the lead to 5-2. Schmaltz has been on fire, scoring seven goals in his last five games.
Utah’s goalie Karel Vejmelka was a wall, making 32 saves throughout the match. John Marino sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with just 5.1 seconds remaining on the clock.
The Mammoth are now poised to extend their winning streak to seven games as they prepare to face the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Fans are eagerly anticipating this matchup as Utah continues its impressive run in the league.
Stay tuned for updates as the Mammoth aim to keep their momentum going!
