SALT LAKE CITY – Despite a closely contested, high scoring initial frame between the Utah Mammoth and San Jose Sharks, the home team smelled blood in the water through the remaining two periods as they outscored the Mammoth 3-1 enroute to a blowout victory.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s one-sided 6-3 loss.
Was pulling Karel Vejmelka in the first period the right decision?
After allowing three goals on 10 shots through just 13 minutes in the first period, Utah Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny had seen enough of Karel Vejmelka between the pipes and decided to pull the plug.
Was that the right decision?
Yes.
Now, let’s talk about why.
First of all, allowing three goals in any period, especially the first is simply unacceptable.
Not to say that the defense was overly helpful as Mikhail Sergachev failed to clear the puck on the first and then took a bad penalty that led to a power play goal on the second, but any NHL coach is going to question their goaltender’s performance when they allow three goals on a .700 save percentage early in the game.
Tourigny wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t.
Tyler Toffoli tickles the twine! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/VBmpu5BotD
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 2, 2025
First game as a Shark ✅
First goal as a Shark ✅
Quick work by Pavol Regenda! pic.twitter.com/zG3OylcGHH
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 2, 2025
Never saw it coming. 😤 pic.twitter.com/ujDem40COL
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 2, 2025
Second, pulling the goalie is also about sending a message to the team that they’re not playing well enough as a collective unit.
Some nights it can simply just be about the goaltender, but against San Jose, it was likely a combination.
Now, it is important to point out that Vitek Vanecek didn’t fare much better, but something had to be done and that’s generally the most significant adjustment a coach can make in the middle of the game.
Sure, he can change the lines, but a goalie change is as drastic as it gets.
So, while not much changed, it was the right call to make in an attempt to wake the team up.
Unfortunately, the message was not received.
Utah registered their worst defensive performance of the season against San Jose
As demonstrated by the final score, Utah struggled immensely in their own zone as the San Jose Sharks lit the lamp six times on 30 shots (.800 SV%).
But just how bad was their performance?
Let’s take a look.
Of the six goals (tied for the most they’ve allowed in a single game this season) San Jose scored, a strong argument can be made that four, potentially even five of them were surrendered due to significant defensive blunders.
“Really disappointed about our effort,” Tourigny said following the loss.
“Our execution right now as a team is not really good…we need to be stronger than that mentally…that is on all of us.”
As noted in the previous section, while Sergachev was heavily at fault for the first two, the rest were simply a collection of the Mammoth being caught flatfooted, out of position and turning the puck over in dangerous areas.
Will Smith is breaking ankles out here. 😨 pic.twitter.com/OehmbtjxKC
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 2, 2025
Hockey Gaud backhander for ya. 👌 pic.twitter.com/eyovdNAES5
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) December 2, 2025
Can’t stop watching this angle of Will Smith’s two gorgeous goals tonight 😍 pic.twitter.com/mfpIHh8WmE
— NHL (@NHL) December 2, 2025
Most, if not all of those goals could’ve been avoided.
Of course, the Sharks still had to capitalize, but Utah continuously shot themselves in the foot as they allowed Will Smith to easily dangle his way to net, failed to properly break out of their own zone and then incorrectly defended a quick odd-man rush.
Those are inexcusable mistakes that cannot happen and as Crouse said during the post-game, every single player needs to be better.
“Everyone needs to be better. [From the] top down,” Crouse said with visible frustration.
Now, could the goaltenders have played better?
Absolutely.
But the team as a whole didn’t help them much at all.
The Utah Mammoth are spiraling after losing their fourth-straight in a blowout to San Jose
If you watched the post-game press conference following the loss to San Jose, one thing was very clear.
This team is frustrated and rightfully so.
With only four wins over their last 17 games, playoff hopes are beginning to fade as the team has yet to successfully right the ship.
What makes matters worse?
It’s not just one issue that needs to be resolved.
As of right now, the Utah Mammoth have the seventh-worst save percentage (.875), the worst power play percentage (13.2), the sixth-worst faceoff percentage (47.3), are tied for the worst record over the last 10 games (2-5-3) and have been outscored by their opponents 59-43 since their seven-game win streak.
They’re spiraling and there’s really no other way to describe it.
As Tourigny pointed out, this team is simply not executing.
“It’s a matter of execution for us,” he said. “It’s not that much matter of decision. Right now, we have a really tough time to connect plays and that goes with the focus.”
“That’s what it is. At some point in that league, you need to be mentally tough. You need to expect tough times, and you need to strive in those situations.”
Time and again, the Mammoth have come out flat this season and San Jose was the same story.
It wasn’t really until Utah saw the puck go in that they decided to turn up the energy and for a stretch they played fine.
But as soon as adversity struck again, it was all downhill and things quickly got out of hand.
According to Tourigny, that falls on him.
“It’s on us as a coach to make sure the team is ready to work first. That’s the number one thing,” Tourigny explained.
“I failed on that today.”
So, is there any hope?
Yes.
They’re still 55 games left and the schedule does soften up around January.
However, the margin of error is becoming increasingly thin.
The way this team is playing right now is certainly a cause for concern because losses are stacking up and there hasn’t been a consistent solution.
The time to find answers is now.
If not, a few more weeks could go by, and it could be too late.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will continue their six-game road trip against the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on TNT and HBO Max.
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.