{"id":399222,"date":"2026-01-10T11:06:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-10T11:06:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/399222\/"},"modified":"2026-01-10T11:06:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T11:06:29","slug":"utah-mammoth-beat-st-louis-blues-4-2-deseret-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/399222\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Mammoth beat St. Louis Blues 4-2 \u2013 Deseret News"},"content":{"rendered":"

Don\u2019t look now, but the Utah Mammoth are on a three-game win streak.<\/p>\n

This home stand has been circled on the calendar for months as a time when the Mammoth have the advantage. They\u2019re at home for seven straight games, including two against divisional opponents. If there\u2019s ever a time to make major progress on locking down a playoff spot, it\u2019s now.<\/p>\n

The Mammoth\u2019s 4-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Friday elevated Utah into the second wild card spot in the NHL\u2019s Western Conference. All of their counterparts have games in hand, so now is not the time to let off the gas pedal.<\/p>\n

That being said, Mammoth head coach Andr\u00e9 Tourigny says it\u2019s still too early to be watching the standings.<\/p>\n

\u201cOK, we won two games. It doesn\u2019t mean anything,\u201d he said after the game. \u201cI think we had our lesson early on. You need to win a lot of games if you want to make the playoffs. Not two games will tip the scale enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Utah Mammoth players celebrate center Nick Schmaltz’s (8) goal as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) has his shot blocked by St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots after recieving a pass from Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) sneaks the puck past St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) for a goal as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) knocks the puck away as Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) and Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) work to get it in the goal as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) tries to disrupt St. Louis Blues defenseman Logan Mailloux (23) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) flips the puck backward away from Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) looks down ice as he tries to clear the puck as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) watches the puck as it moves to his back and side as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth fans cheer after a score as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) blocks a shot by St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) clears the puck as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) allows the puck to slip in for a St. Louis Blues score as they play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (18) reacts in pain after slamming his face off the ice after Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) took out his legs as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer (30) blocks a shot by Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) celebrates a goal with teammates Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. Mammoth won 4-2. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Former Utah governor Gary R. Herbert slaps his hands on the glass after a Mammoth goal as the Utah Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) and St. Louis Blues center Oskar Sundqvist (70) faceoff as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News \"\"Utah Mammoth defenseman John Marino (6) takes a shot as the Mammoth and St. Louis Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Quick catchupUtah Mammoth: 4St. Louis Blues: 2<\/p>\n

This was one of Utah\u2019s chippier games of the season: Two fights, 42 hits and 42 penalty minutes between the two teams. It was the third meeting between the Mammoth and the Blues this season, and it became clear early that they don\u2019t like each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cSt. Louis is a team who plays physical,\u201d Tourigny said. \u201cYou saw the playoffs last year. Their first round against Winnipeg, that\u2019s the way they can play. So, we\u2019re capable of playing that kind of game, we\u2019re capable of answering the bell, and I think the guys did a good job.\u201d<\/p>\n

Utah opened the scoring 15 minutes in with a goal from Nick Schmaltz. He added another in the third period, but not before an evenly fought second period that saw two goals for each team.<\/p>\n

Clayton Keller assisted on both of Schmaltz\u2019s goals and added another helper when Lawson Crouse scored. That\u2019s Keller\u2019s fifth game this season with three points or more. <\/p>\n

For context, last year was the most productive of his career and he had six three-plus-point games \u2014 and there\u2019s still nearly half a season to go in 2026.<\/p>\n

Next up for the Mammoth are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who currently sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.<\/p>\n

Tidbits and takeawaysThe code<\/p>\n

Hockey players treat their teammates like family, and if you\u2019ve seen The Fast and the Furious movies, you\u2019ll understand how they protect their families.<\/p>\n

The last time the Mammoth and Blues met, Blues forward Alexey Toropchenko got a major penalty and a game misconduct for kneeing Logan Cooley. Because Toropchenko got kicked out of the game, the Mammoth didn\u2019t have the chance to respond.<\/p>\n

Until Friday.<\/p>\n

Right off the opening face-off, Jack McBain threw his gloves down \u2014 as did Toropchenko, who knew he had a bell to answer. <\/p>\n

Toropchenko is a big guy, but this was only the third fight of his NHL career (McBain has that many this year alone).<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t a particularly pleasant experience for Toropchenko.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t like the hit on Cools when we were in St. Louis,\u201d Tourigny said. \u201cThat\u2019s not the kind of thing that can come from the coach. I didn\u2019t say a word about it, but I think it showed how much guys care for each other. <\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s what it is, and I\u2019m not saying it has to happen, I\u2019m saying I didn\u2019t mind it happening. Tell me how Logan Cooley feels right now. Seriously. Put yourself in his shoes: My teammate has my back.\u201d<\/p>\n

The game\u2019s other fight was similar, but with reversed roles. Brandon Tanev threw a hard hit on 21-year-old budding star Jimmy Snuggerud, partially catching him in the head. <\/p>\n

Blues captain Brayden Schenn, who has never been described as \u201csoft,\u201d used his fists<\/a> to let Tanev know how he felt about it.<\/p>\n

Some people disagree with fighting in hockey and others love it, but regardless of how you feel, it does make the rest of the game safer. <\/p>\n

If you know you\u2019ll have to answer to McBain or Schenn, you\u2019ll think twice about touching Cooley or Snuggerud.<\/p>\n

Stars and stripes<\/p>\n

No U.S.-born teammates have factored on more goals in NHL history than Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. Let that sink in for a second.<\/p>\n

They tied and then passed Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat in that column on Friday, though the record could go back and forth a bit, as Kane and DeBrincat still play together with the Detroit Red Wings (they were also teammates with the Chicago Blackhawks for five seasons).<\/p>\n

\u201cFeels like we\u2019ve been playing with each other for a long time, so we know where each other are at all times on the ice and always looking for each other,\u201d Schmaltz said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a heck of a ride playing with him, and hopefully we\u2019ve got many more great memories ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n

Keller\u2019s efforts over the last couple of seasons were enough to land him on Team USA\u2019s roster<\/a> for the upcoming Olympics. That was one of his goals, especially after being left off the 4 Nations Face-Off<\/a> roster last season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m so excited for that opportunity,\u201d Keller said after morning skate on Friday. \u201cIt\u2019s something that I\u2019ve worked tremendously hard for and a dream of mine as a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fresh Veggies<\/p>\n

Speaking of Olympians, Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka had a big night Friday, too. His victory put him in sole possession of first place in the NHL in wins with 20.<\/p>\n

Per the NHL\u2019s stats department, he\u2019s the second Czech goalie to ever lead the league with 20 wins. The first? Every Czech goalie\u2019s idol, Dominik Ha\u0161ek.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was five, six years old, when I started to play goalie, Ha\u0161ek was one of my favorite goalies,\u201d Vejmelka said. \u201cObviously he was one of the best in the NHL already, so it was really fun to watch him. It was a different kind of hockey, obviously, but it was fun to watch him. It was insane what he did.\u201d<\/p>\n

It hasn\u2019t been an entirely smooth sailing season for Vejmelka, but the bulk of December and all of January so far have been exactly what Utah\u2019s fans came to expect from him last season \u2014 the type of play that earned him his five-year, $23.75 million contract extension<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been great. He\u2019s played a lot of hockey, but he\u2019s been a backbone all year,\u201d Schmaltz said of Vejmelka. \u201cHe makes a lot of big saves when it matters, and hopefully we can get a bunch more wins with him in the net.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) blocks a shot by St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (72) as the Mammoth and Blues play at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Goal of the gameSean Durzi strikes again<\/p>\n

Off the ice, it hasn\u2019t been an easy time for Sean Durzi, but on the ice, he\u2019s on an absolute roll.<\/p>\n

His goal on Friday was his second in the last three games, and he has points in 10 of his last 12. And, remember, he\u2019s a defenseman.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s due to confidence, a longer leash or a little bit of both, he has benefited from the ability to float around in the offensive zone. <\/p>\n

Lots of the time, defensemen are confined to the space between the blue line and the top of the face-off circles for fear of not being able to get back and defend, but a few times per game, Durzi breaks away from that space \u2014 and it\u2019s working out incredibly well for him.<\/p>\n

What a pass by Schmaltz, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Don\u2019t look now, but the Utah Mammoth are on a three-game win streak. This home stand has been…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":399223,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5120],"tags":[71,5,3157,4,534,84,5285,5284],"class_list":{"0":"post-399222","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-st-louis-blues","8":"tag-blues","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-news-feed-local","11":"tag-nhl","12":"tag-st-louis","13":"tag-st-louis-blues","14":"tag-stlouis","15":"tag-stlouisblues"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nhl\/115870486376880247","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=399222"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/399222\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/399223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=399222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=399222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=399222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}