In their second season in Utah, the Utah Hockey Club transformed into its new identity as the Utah Mammoth.
The Mammoth made the Stanley Cup playoffs in their first season with their new title, going up against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Game 1:
In the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the Mammoth came to town as the new kids on the block looking to steal game one. Throughout the season, the Mammoth were tied for 10th in the entire NHL, averaging 3.27 goals per game. However, their problem all season was revealed in their defense, as they allowed almost three goals per game.
Their first playoff appearance began with forward Logan Cooley scoring the Mammoth’s first playoff goal. Utah held the 1-0 advantage going into the second period before the Golden Knights tied the game four minutes into the frame. Center Kevin Stenlund put the Mammoth back in front for Utah entering the third period.
Vegas owned the third, scoring three goals to win game one. The next five games would be a roller coaster of emotions for both teams.
Games 2-3:
The Mammoth responded after the game 1 loss by winning the game 2, 3-2, at the Golden Knights’ home arena after a third-period goal by Cooley. They took the series to Salt Lake City for the team’s first ever home playoff game.
For many Mammoth fans, game 3 was an exciting event. Prior to the puck drop, Mammoth owner Ryan Smith sent out a post on social media inviting Golden Knights fans in Utah to swap out their jerseys for a free brand-new Mammoth jersey.
Passionate fans rocked The Delta Center, excited to see Utah play at home, and the players fed off that energy.
The Mammoth struck first, obtaining a strong 4-0 lead with only 12 total shots in the game. Vegas answered with a few goals of their own, but it was too late. The Mammoth won their first home playoff game with Lawson Crouse’s two scores landing him as the player of the game.
Games 4-6:
After a thrilling Game 3, the momentum shifted towards Vegas. The Golden Knights came prepared in Game 4, scoring three times to lead 3-0. Utah punched back, scoring four times to take a 4-3 lead in the third.
Vegas pressed the Mammoth defense and eventually scored a goal, leading the game to overtime.
Overtime was a back-and-forth battle before Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore scored a goal with 52 seconds left in overtime, evening the series up two games each.
Game 5 was similar to game four. Both teams battled and scored multiple goals before heading to overtime. The first overtime was not enough with the teams deadlocked at 4-4.
The Mammoth received a power play in the second overtime, giving Utah a one-player advantage, but the short-handed Golden Knights scored on center Brett Howden’s goal.
The Mammoth lost momentum, having two close games but falling short in overtime both times.
Game 6 ended in a blowout, with the Mammoth losing the final game 5-1 and the series 4-2, booting the team out of their first playoffs.
The Mammoth fell short, but their playoff performance offered optimism heading into next year.
