SALT LAKE CITY – Amidst a chaotic playoff-like matchup in Columbus, the Utah Mammoth stole two points on the road as Logan Cooley called game in cold-blooded fashion over the Blue Jackets in OT.
Following a tumultuous third period that witnessed a line brawl, four goals and two group therapy sessions in the sin bins, Utah managed to remain perfect on the road as they bested Columbus.
Here are the key takeaways from Utah’s thrilling 5-4 OT victory.
MacKenzie Weegar impressed in his Mammoth debut
After nearly four full seasons with the Calgary Flames, 32-year-old defenseman MacKenzie Weegar threw on a brand-new sweater as he made his Mammoth debut in Columbus against the Blue Jackets.
Despite requiring a visa to play for an American club which should’ve kept him sidelined for at least four to 10 days, “Uncle Donald” came through early to get No. 52 on the ice for his new club.
Coach Tourigny on when Weegar will be penciled into the lineup 😂
“Ask Uncle Donald for that. Immigration will tell us.”
“It’s 4 to 10 days but we’ll see.”
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) March 5, 2026
Registering the most minutes (23:21) of any Mammoth against Columbus, Weegar impressed in his debut alongside Sean Durzi on Utah’s top defensive pairing.
In addition to a helper on Alexander Kerfoot’s 100th career goal, No. 52 was as advertised as he made veteran defensive plays, blocked shots, contributed on special teams and jumped into the offense.
Stenny puts us ahead! 😁
3-2, Utah. pic.twitter.com/wSzAc0GbS9
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026
“I thought everybody made me feel comfortable,” Weegar explained. “The backend, the coaching staff, obviously knowing Bear a bit.”
“Everybody just made me feel comfortable and I think that’s the most important thing with a tight group. Getting me feeling the culture, the identity of the team and just letting me settle in a little bit.”
To come in somewhat unexpectedly and fit in right away speaks volumes about Weegar’s game.
Rather than just taking it easy and trying to play overly simple, No. 52 never once looked out of place as he made an instant impact for the Mammoth.
“He played really good,” Head coach Andre Tourigny said. “I like the way he moved the puck, blocked a few shots, and was strong in his battle.”
“We like him.”
To Tourigny’s credit, how can you not?
To acquire an experienced player like that with his skillset, presence, attitude and impact will simply do wonders for this team down the stretch and beyond.
A chaotic third period should serve as an important lesson for the Mammoth
That third period in Columbus was something, eh?
In addition to a line brawl that sent six players to the box to serve 56 total penalty minutes, the final frame also witnessed four goals as the intensity nearly reached that of a playoff game.
“I felt like that third period was a bit of a playoff taste there with the physicality and the crowd was into it,” Weegar noted.
“That’s what it’s going to be like down the stretch with these games. I thought we did a great job closing it.”
What a beauty, Logan Cooley!!!
4-2, Utah. pic.twitter.com/ZkXkFRwqbn
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026
2 GOALS. 30 SECONDS. MUSH TIES IT UP! 💥
CBJ x @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/NdHhr2qzs1
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 8, 2026
WE GOT SOME ROUGH STUFF BETWEEN THE BLUE JACKETS AND MAMMOTH 😱👊 pic.twitter.com/PFNId2DS3z
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 8, 2026
To this point in their existence, that may have been the most playoff-like atmosphere the Mammoth have ever participated in.
On top of nine goals between the two squads, both teams played with wicked speed, brutal physicality, intense emotion and a never say die attitude that eventually resulted in overtime.
That’s about as playoff-like as it gets.
“That’s an unbelievable feeling,” Logan Cooley said with a visible grin on his face.
“I’ve never played in the playoffs but that seems like the type of atmosphere it would be like. We gave up those two for them to tie it and bounced back…it was awesome. Super fun to play in.”
Now, while the Mammoth eventually won in overtime, the third period needs to serve as an important collection of lessons for this young squad down the stretch.
Amidst all the chaos of the third, the Mammoth forfeited a two-goal lead with less than seven minutes on the clock that nearly flipped the game on its head as Columbus ferociously pushed back.
The lessons to be learned?
No lead is safe.
Teams will do everything they can to win back momentum.
Physicality reaches a new level when emotions run high.
But perhaps the most important lesson of them all?
Utah proved they can handle it.
They’re no longer the pushover team simply playing for pride with a postseason berth well out of reach.
No.
They’re in the hunt and can hold their own against any team as they charge towards the postseason.
So, while all of those lessons should be internalized, this game should also boost their confidence as they were willing to bend but not break in a setting that replicated what playoff hockey is all about.
The Mammoth conducted a masterclass in OT as Cold-Blooded Cooley called game
In overtime hockey, possession trumps all.
Why?
With four skaters removed from the ice, the 3-on-3 format opens up a ton of extra space which generally leads to odd-man situations.
However, when the game isn’t necessarily producing 2-on-1 rushes in either direction, both possession and patience become even more important.
Against Columbus, that’s exactly how Utah managed to steal the second point.
After regaining possession from the Blue Jackets following a failed attack, Utah continuously entered and re-entered the offensive zone as they patiently waited to strike.
Rather than trying to force a play, Utah circulated the puck, retreated when necessary, got the right personnel on the ice and then pounced.
The result?
A well-timed hesitation by Keller who found Logan Cooley in a perfect position to call game.
LOGAN COOLEY OT WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com/vyBqsage9i
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026
This is what it takes to make the playoffs.
Not necessarily perfection at all times, but a collective team effort that refuses to break and finds ways to win.
A little magic from 9 and 92 never hurt either.
What’s next for the Utah Mammoth?
The Utah Mammoth will continue their five-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at 6:30 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.
