SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Mammoth closed out their pre-Olympic schedule with an exclamation point on Wednesday night as they took care of business with a commanding victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
After setting the tone with a 2-0 lead to end the first period, the Mammoth kept their foot on the gas as they controlled the pace and refused to let Detroit gather any momentum.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s 4-1 victory over the Red Wings.
An explosive first period set the tone for the Utah Mammoth against the Red Wings
Some games in the NHL just mean a little bit more.
Not only rivalries, but games in the season where points are non-negotiable and critical momentum must be captured.
During a recent appearance on the KSL Sports Zone, General Manager Bill Armstrong delivered this sentiment as he described Utah’s matchup with Detroit as one of those must-win games, demanding the very best from his squad.
“The way we look at this game…it’s a game seven. It’s do or die in this game and we’ve got to have that mentality and give everything we have to get the win,” he said.
After a red-hot start to the first period with two goals in the initial 10 minutes, it’s safe to say the message was internalized by the entire team as they quickly established their intentions.
Fellas came out hot! 🔥
Sean Durzi gives Utah an early 1-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/0sEC5yJc5L
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 5, 2026
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…
🗣️ NICK SCHMALTZ SCORES! pic.twitter.com/wTBTbgWaDV
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 5, 2026
Winning the first period has been absolutely critical to Utah’s success this season as they’ve gone 13-4-1 when leading after the initial frame.
What usually determines if they’re victorious through the first 20 minutes?
Energy and urgency, which is exactly how they dominated Detroit early on.
In addition to finding the back of the net twice, Utah was ferocious in their approach as they got pucks in deep, won battles to regain possession, stacked bodies in front of Detroit goaltender John Gibson and made dangerous passes with precision.
So, while it may not have felt like a game-seven playoff atmosphere for both teams, the Mammoth certainly approached the contest with that mindset and executed to near perfection as they set the tone early.
Karel Vejmelka was nearly impenetrable as he made clutch saves all night
“Veggie” chants were almost constant throughout Delta Center on Wednesday night and Karel Vejmelka was deserving of every single one as he made clutch saves all game to help his team maintain control.
Now, while he successfully stopped 29 of Detroit’s 30 shots (96 SV%), that accomplishment was no picnic as it forced him to make some truly acrobatic saves.
Veggie is THAT guy!🤯 pic.twitter.com/WG0ua1mrTi
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 5, 2026
Tonight meant a little bit more to No. 70 and not just because Utah desperately needed the two points.
After losing a loved one recently, Vejmelka played out of his mind and made sure to dedicate his entire performance to his late uncle.
“He taught me a lot,” Vejmelka explained. “He was a great human being. I’m going to miss him, and I played for him tonight. This win is for him.”
Veggie extra’s motivation was almost palpable against Detroit as he gave just a little bit more on every single play and possessed a sixth sense for the puck.
Shot after shot, Utah’s netminder threw everything he had at the Red Wings as he stopped an early breakaway, was impenetrable on the PK, swallowed nearly every puck and absolutely robbed Moritz Seider on a backdoor one-timer that should’ve found the back of the net.
“It helps you win games there’s no doubt about it,” Head Coach Andre Tourigny said of Vejmelka’s performance.
“He’s been on a good stretch.”
Like Tourigny noted, when a goaltender is playing as well as Vejmelka is, a team is going to have a really good chance to walk away with two points every single night.
With 26 wins (league-high), a .901 save percentage and 2.61 GAA, No. 70 is one of the primary reasons Utah has been so successful this season and currently sit in the top wild card spot (64 points) heading into the break.
As long as he can keep his save percentage around .900 or better, Utah will have a great chance to make the playoffs.
Utah’s victory over Detroit sent a message about their intentions this season
Tonight’s win was a statement victory.
Not just because they beat one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, but the matter in which took care of business to secure two points heading into the break showed how serious they are about making the postseason.
A year ago, that loss to Carolina would’ve paralyzed this team.
Sent them into a downward spiral, especially after losing the next night to Dallas.
Instead, they picked themselves up, allowed it to sting and then quickly got back to business by closing the pre-Olympic schedule out with two massive wins.
How?
By having the right mindset.
“I think we are moving in the right direction. We are hitting the right way, and we need to keep that same mindset for the rest of the season,” Vejmelka explained.
“With using this break to rest our minds, but have that same mindset when we get back here.”
Utah seems more desperate than last season but in a good way.
They understand the task at hand and are playing in a manner that reflects it.
Rather than hopelessly chasing a playoff spot, they know what brand of hockey they need to play in order to beat anyone.
That’s exactly the way they played against Detroit.
They were well-prepared, fierce from puck drop, stuck to the basics, played their game, suffocated the opposition on the forecheck and were stingy defensively.
But that mindset cannot change going into the break.
Once they return, their playoff hopes will depend on whether or not they can replicate the way they’ve played in 2026 thus far.
“I think just go have a good break, but stay in shape, while also taking advantage of this time,” Guenther said
“We played well coming back last year, but not good enough. St. Louis was hot, and a lot of teams are going to come out flying. So, we need to make sure that we’re ready to go in the first game.”
Utah needs to be that team this season.
They need to be the squad everyone chases but can’t catch.
The good news?
They’re more than capable, especially considering that Logan Cooley and Alexander Kerfoot should be available once the NHL season resumes.
The Mammoth made a statement about what they intend on doing this season.
Once they come back, it’ll be time to finish the job.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will now enter the Olympic break before returning to play on February 25 against the Colorado Avalanche at 7:00 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.
