SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a valiant effort against the NHL’s best Colorado Avalanche, the Utah Mammoth came up just short in a loss on Tuesday night.
In addition to a shutout performance from Avalance goaltender Scott Wedgewood, Colorado punished Utah for a single mistake which was eventually the difference in the hockey game.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s narrow 1-0 loss in Colorado.
Meet Colten McIntyre, the first-ever Utah native to suit up for the Mammoth
For the first time in franchise history, a Utah born skater suited up for the Utah Mammoth as they faced the Colorado Avalanche.
How’d this all come about?
While it appeared that goaltender Karel Vejmelka would start in net against the Avs on Tuesday night, the team announced just prior to puck drop that No. 70 would not be available due to an upper-body injury.
“I don’t know exactly when it happened…but I heard about it this morning,” Head coach Andre Tourigny explained.
“We thought and he thought he could be fine but that was not the case.”
In need of a second netminder, the team was forced to sign emergency backup goaltender (EBUG) and Park City native, Colten McIntrye, to an Amateur Try-Out Agreement to ensure they had a backup in case Vitek Vanecek suffered an injury.
Meet Colten McIntyre, the first Utah native to suit up for us in an @NHL game 🏔️ pic.twitter.com/TWp66SxnHx
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) December 24, 2025
While that may seem odd, McIntyre is quite familiar with the organization as he typically practices with the team at home and on the road.
Notably, before serving as an EBUG for the Mammoth, McIntrye played for the Connecticut RoughRiders of the EHL last season.
In 27 games, McIntrye posted a .908 save percentage and 4.72 GAA.
While he didn’t play against Colorado, this marks the first time that a Utah native has ever worn the Mountain Blue, Rock Black and Salt White colors.
Colorado capitalized on a Mammoth mistake while Utah couldn’t finish chances
To preface, this was one of the most complete efforts by Utah this season.
Despite losing 1-0 in regulation and obviously being held scoreless, the Mammoth pushed the best team in the National Hockey League to their limits as they went toe-to-toe with the juggernaut that is the Colorado Avalanche.
Through 60 minutes, Utah outshot their opponent (32-26), dominated the faceoff circle (54.4 percent), generated a plethora of Grade A scoring chances, were sound defensively, received a superb performance from Vitek Vanecek in net and rendered each of Colorado’s superstars useless.
“It was a really hard-fought game,” Nate Schmidt explained. “We fought hard, man. I’m proud of our guys…that’s an easy one to write off.”
“I loved the way that we competed tonight…that effort is what I’d like to hopefully continue to see as the standard for the rest of the year.”
Most the time, that kind of effort is going to result in a win.
But not tonight.
Here’s why.
While both teams struggled to find the back of the net, Utah made one major mistake as they turned the puck over in the neutral zone and unfortunately, Colorado capitalized.
Amidst a highly competitive first two periods, the Utah Mammoth trail the Colorado Avalanche 1-0.
The difference in the game? Colorado capitalized on a Mammoth mistake while Utah has yet to finish any of their chances.
Final frame on deck.pic.twitter.com/doCXi3SzND
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) December 24, 2025
That was the difference.
The best team in the NHL punished Utah for a single mistake while the Mammoth were unable to do the same at the other end.
Despite a collection of Grade A scoring chances, several breakaways and a few opportunities on the doorstep, the puck simply refused to cross the line.
Like Schmidt pointed out, tonight was great effort.
Unfortunately, puck luck didn’t seem to be on their side.
Utah was met with an impenetrable force in Colorado’s net
While there certainly was some poor luck associated with Utah’s inability to score, you have to give Scott Wedgedwood his flowers as he was simply impenetrable against the Mammoth on Tuesday night.
Facing 32 shots through three periods, Wedgewood stopped each and every one to protect his eventual shutout.
Didn’t matter if it was a Dylan Guenther breakaway, dirty chance on the doorstep for Daniil But or a blast through traffic from Sean Durzi, Colorado’s netminder had an answer for every Grade A scoring opportunity the Mammoth threw at him.
Notably, Wedgewood even managed to somehow deny Clayton Keller on a rebound in the crease as he robbed him with his glove, and despite falling into the net in the splits, kept his glove above the goal line (at least that’s what the inconclusive evidence supports) to deny a tie.
Watching this over and over and over… pic.twitter.com/qkFv4BscV1
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 24, 2025
GREAT SCOTT ❌ pic.twitter.com/6VaVOW9igq
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) December 24, 2025
Sometimes, that’s just the way it goes.
The chances were there, the effort was commendable, but the puck never crossed the line for the Mammoth, and they walked away empty handed.
Now, while morale victories don’t count for anything, there is still a silver lining heading into the Holiday break.
In addition to standing tall against the league-leading Avalanche, Utah has managed to put themselves in a playoff spot near the midway point of the season with 39 points.
While several of the teams below them do have a game in hand, Utah has weathered the toughest part of the schedule and are arguably right where they should be.
If they continue to offer the same kind of effort and energy moving forward into the second half of the year, they’ll be right in the mix for a spot right down the stretch.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will host the Nashville Predators at Delta Center on December 29 at 7 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on Mammoth+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
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.
