MORNING SKATE NOTES

Utah will have some game time decisions per head coach André Tourigny.
The Mammoth are focused on game management heading into tonight’s game
It’s the second half of a back-to-back for the Mammoth

Supporting Each Other

The Mammoth are taking on the Blues in Captain Clayton Keller’s hometown of St. Louis. The team continues to rally behind their leader after the passing of his father, Bryan.

“It’s obviously been a super tough time for him and people close to him and (we’re) just trying to support him and his family,” Nick Schmaltz shared. “I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now, so anything we can do to help is where we’re at. We have everyone’s back and especially, a guy that I’ve been with for a very long time. I feel for him and his family and just want to do everything I can to help him.”

Relying on the Depth

Although the Mammoth have some game time decisions going into tonight, Utah has depth that can step in and play no matter the role or position in the lineup. In Friday’s game against the Stars, Kevin Rooney scored in his Mammoth debut. He’s one example of Utah using their depth throughout this condensed season.

“That’s a strength of (ours),” Tourigny explained. “Management did a good job to provide the depth in our team. The same thing in the back end, you have Nick DeSimone go in, get a few points, (game) winning goals … we have that. We’ll use our depth, especially on (this) trip, especially on (this) stretch … sooner or later we’ll need everybody.”

Battling Through

It’s an incredibly competitive league and the NHL continues to see close, one-goal games throughout the first quarter of the season. The Mammoth are focused on staying strong through momentum swings to come away with two points in these close games.

“Staying even keel throughout the game,” Schmaltz said of the team’s focus. “You see a lot of the games now, they’re all very tight, one goal games and a play here or there that makes a difference. So staying with it, knowing that there’s going to be momentum swings throughout the game, and try to be on the right side of making that play that wins the game for us tonight.”