SALT LAKE CITY – Aside from allowing three unanswered goals to the Vegas Golden Knights enroute to a 3-2 OT loss, the Utah Mammoth demonstrated noticeable improvement and collective chemistry.
With standout performances across the roster, the Mammoth offered their best performance of the preseason despite losing in OT.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s matchup in Sin City.
The chemistry between Guenther and Peterka is already deadly
This past offseason, the Utah Mammoth diligently searched for a top six goal scorer as they evaluated their needs and realized their desire for another explosive offensive weapon.
The result?
23-year-old forward JJ Peterka who was obtained via trade from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring.
Now, after months of speculation as to where he might fit in and play, Peterka has been busy demonstrating his dangerous potential alongside Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley.
The speed and finesse of that line is going to produce a lot of goals.
Doesn’t matter who is on the puck, Cooley, Guenther & Peterka are going to fly up the ice and utilize their creativity to undress defenses just like this. https://t.co/LGKG5vU6oa
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 26, 2025
Against the Golden Knights, that new magical connection was on full display as Peterka quickly entered the offensive zone, drew the attention of two defensemen and then dished a filthy saucer pass over the defenders stick to Guenther up the right side.
Unsurprisingly, Guenther found the back of the net as he scored yet another greasy goal in close to give Utah a 1-0 lead in the first.
I don’t know how he snuck that under there but he did.
Another goal in close from Guenther 😮💨 https://t.co/mnsHDKrqcU
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 26, 2025
“I like the speed. I like the skill. I like the compete as well,” Tourigny said.
“When we talk about detail and playing both sides of the puck, this line did it perfectly.”
Deepening their chemistry even further, that line yet again used their speed to quickly transition, took the defense by surprise and then Guenther buried another from the slot to extend the Mammoth’s lead.
Another great pass, another great shot. What a night for Gunner and the boys! 💪 pic.twitter.com/PKTxDSaXYG
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) September 26, 2025
According to Peterka, that’s been the primary focus during training camp as the expectation is for him and Guenther to share a line with Cooley once he’s healthy.
“We’re super quick…We can see the ice pretty well,” Peterka told KSL Sports.
“We catch defenders off guard a lot of times…For us right now, it’s just to come more together, be more connected to be even more dangerous.”
Peterka on playing with Guenther/Cooley & their speed:
“We’re super quick…We can see the ice pretty well.”
“We catch defenders off guard a lot of times…For us right now, it’s just to come more together, be more connected to be even more dangerous.” pic.twitter.com/hVBwIAS5go
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 25, 2025
Thus far, mission accomplished as the duo was absolutely lethal against Vegas.
The best part? They still have to add Logan Cooley.
Once they’re at full strength, sit back and watch the fireworks because that trio is going to score a lot of goals.
Vitek Vanecek was confident in net for the Utah Mammoth despite the loss
Despite allowing three goals to the Vegas Golden Knights, including the OT winner by Shea Theodore, Vitek Vanecek still had a strong showing between the pipes for the Utah Mammoth.
Facing some of the Knight’s premiere talent such as Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner and Theodore, Vanecek was confident, mostly tracked the puck well, demonstrated sound form and utilized his stick during key moments to make a few big saves.
Early on in the first period, Utah’s newest goaltender made arguably the save of the game has he dove backwards to stop an easy tap in chance with his stick and blocker, which kept the game knotted at zero.
What a recovery and stick save by Vanecek on that previous shift from Marner’s line.
Should’ve been an easy tap in but Vanecek dove to make the save and kept the puck out.
Save of the night here early.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 26, 2025
Throughout the remainder of the night, Vanecek also clung to his posts well as he cut down angles on shooters along the wings and refused to bite on any fakes or attempted passes.
Now, he did allow three unanswered goals, but two of them were well constructed plays by the Knights and absolute laser beams from Eichel that no goaltender was going to stop.
gonna be easy to get used to this 🤩 pic.twitter.com/YcCp4m66Aq
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 26, 2025
🗣️ JACK pic.twitter.com/fGRUgAZF0u
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 26, 2025
So, yes, it was still a three-goal night with a .850 save percentage in a loss to Vegas.
But if he can have that kind of approach and confidence during the regular season with a full NHL roster in front of him, he just might rediscover his own premier form as a reliable backup to Karel Vejmelka.
Vegas may have accomplished the comeback, but Utah looked much better than before
Adding yet another offensive-minded juggernaut to their front six, it was only a matter of time before Mitch Marner and the Golden Knights started clicking.
Eventually, Marner and Eichel finally the found the back of the net as the Knights walked away with a 3-2 OT victory despite trailing by two in the third period.
SHEA THEODORE WINS IT IN OVERTIME 🤩 pic.twitter.com/SgDqAdZnrO
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 26, 2025
While it is a bit of a bummer that Utah lost another preseason game, the Mammoth looked much better as a team as they offered their best performance thus far.
“We played a really good game,” Tourigny explained.
“We were relentless, we had pace, we were more in their face, we were more in sync. I really liked the way we played.”
From top to bottom, the entire roster had a solid showing.
The Guenther-Peterka line was lethal, Dmitri Simashev was sound defensively, Nate Schmidt played a complete game, Gabe Smith was strong in the offensive zone, and the list goes on.
Everyone is all “Daniil But,” and “Dimitri Simashev,” and I’m over here like, yeah, but have you seen Gabe Smith?! pic.twitter.com/43eFkxbagV
— YourMomLovesHockey (@YourMomsHockey) September 26, 2025
So, as the preseason continues, rest assured that this team is on the right path.
They’re creating chemistry, figuring out systems, vetting their young prospects and have made improvements from last season.
Sure, there might be a few more growing pains through the next few weeks but notice the difference it made when they added just a few more NHL skaters to the roster.
Now imagine this team two weeks from now when its go time and they get some more of their top players back from injury.
Plenty to be excited for.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
Training camp will take place from September 17 through October 4 at the new training facility in Sandy.
The Mammoth’s next preseason game will be against the Los Angeles Kings on September 30 at 7 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Keep up with him on X here. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
Take us with you, wherever you go.