It was a must-win game for the Utah Mammoth.

Coming in losing its last three games—all of which Logan Cooley, who will now be out for eight weeks, missed due to injury—the Mammoth needed to rally together and prove that this team could stay strong.

But Utah had no trouble playing without its key star in Cooley, winning 5-3 in its game against Kraken.

Heading into the third, Utah was leading 2-1, but it was clear the Kraken weren’t going away. Both teams were motivated to capture the win, with each player battling for the puck any chance they could get.

Seattle got the first opportunity to strike after two Utah penalties gave the Kraken a two-man advantage for a stretch of 1:42.

At first, Karel Vejmelka made an incredible effort, with many deflections and saves from post to post. In fact, he and the Utah defense did so well that the Seattle Kraken didn’t score on either of their power-play opportunities.

“That’s huge. 5-on-3 for a minute and 40 seconds is no joke,” said Nick Schmaltz. ” It’s usually your goalie that’s your best penalty killer in those situations, and (Karel Vejmelka) was great. He made some crazy saves with guys ringing one-timers off his head and whatnot. He was great.”

Even with Utah’s impressive display on the power play, Seattle wouldn’t give up as the game returned to 5-on-5 hockey. Once the Kraken entered the offensive zone again, Mason Marchment scored the game-tying goal.

The momentum certainly looked to have swung Utah’s way when it kept the Kraken out of the net with dominant penalty-kill play, but when Ryan Lindgren suddenly swung the pass out to Marchment, Vejmelka was just a bit too far away to make a play on the puck.

Now, with the game tied, it was on Utah to make a response of its own. The Mammoth had already done it once this game when Nick Schmaltz singlehandedly stole the puck and scored a breakaway goal to tie the game 1-1 in the second period.

As Utah chipped away at the Kraken’s defense, applying pressure and taking plenty of shots, Utah got the chance it was looking for.

Thanks to a penalty from Lindgren, Utah was given a power play of its own. As soon as Dylan Guenther found himself open, Schmaltz sent a pass his way, and he fired his signature one-timer into the back of the net.

“We’ve talked about loose puck recoveries,” said Guenther. “We did a really good job getting (the puck) back. When (Nick Schmaltz) got in the middle there, it was a tough play for them. He made a really nice pass.”

After that, Utah would never look back, scoring two empty-net goals on its way to a 5-3 win.

Schmaltz certainly had the most points on the night, registering a goal and two assists, but hard play from some of Utah’s role players made a huge difference in getting the win.

No one on Utah’s third line—made up of Michael Carcone, Daniil But and Jack McBain—registered a point. But before Schmaltz scored his game-tying goal, it was the third line that ignited the Mammoth to play with the energy it did.

Without their hits and shots, the momentum never would have swung the Mammoth’s way.

Meanwhile, Utah’s fourth line also had a great night, with Kailer Yamamoto even scoring a goal of his own.

Though the referees originally disallowed the goal, citing Liam O’Brien for goaltender interference. But when replay showed that Seattle’s Vince Dunn actually ran into goalie Philipp Grubauer, the Mammoth immediately challenged the ruling and the call was reversed. 

“I think Hunter Cherni and Alec Rippetoe (video coaches) did very well. What you have to understand is the follow-up of daily calls in the NHL, and to stay on top of the rules and how every call goes,” said André Tourigny. “When I saw the play, I said we need to make sure. He was really adamant about it. There was no doubt in his head.” 

Cooley may not be able to suit up for the Mammoth for a long time, but Utah’s whole team showed that it can rise up to the challenge.

Now the question will be if Utah can consistently play like this as it waits for Cooley to return.