\u2014 KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n For a season full of ups and downs, Carcone\u2019s contributions cannot be overlooked, especially considering the fact that he had to swallow his pride to even re-sign with the Mammoth in the first place.<\/p>\n Since then, he\u2019s completely bought in and provided the same reliable approach every night.<\/p>\n Karel Vejmelka\u2019s game continues to improve as he was brilliant between the pipes against Toronto<\/p>\n It seems that nearly every game Utah has won recently, we\u2019re talking about Karel Vejmelka\u2019s play between the pipes.<\/p>\n But at this point, how can we not?<\/p>\n With a .900 save percentage on the year and .920 in January, No. 70 has been nothing but spectacular in net as of late which has led to most of those wins.<\/p>\n Against the Leafs, it was more of the same as he made some key stops early, was impenetrable on the PK, robbed Jonathan Tavares on a breakaway and then was an anchor as Utah weathered some pushback by Toronto in the third.<\/p>\n Stopped by Vejmelka! \u274c pic.twitter.com\/dP1K64hHpP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n After a tough start to the year, Vejmelka has played a style of hockey that will give his team a favorable chance to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n Not just a couple games here and there, but consistent performances that are keeping the Mammoth in games during critical stretches with an opportunity to win on any given night.<\/p>\n Now, while Utah\u2019s six goals were likely still insurmountable, Vejmelka kept the Leafs at an arm\u2019s length with 19 saves on 20 shots (.950).<\/p>\n If he keeps it up, and as long as the team continues to play like they did against Toronto, Utah will make the playoffs.<\/p>\n The Utah Mammoth got the spark they wanted after Guenther & But switched lines<\/p>\n After recording his first career hat-trick against the New York Islanders on January 1, Dylan Guenther had gone relatively quiet for the Utah Mammoth.<\/p>\n With only one point over the previous five games, Utah needed more from their leading goal scorer which inspired the coaching staff to make a change by dropping Guenther to the third line and elevating Daniil But to the second.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re looking for a spark,\u201d Head coach Andre Tourigny explained after morning skate on Tuesday. \u201cMcBain & Guenther like to play together. At the same time, But needs to execute just a little bit better.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll adjust if need be. We\u2019ll start the game that way & see how the matchup is going.\u201d<\/p>\n Unconventional?<\/p>\n Yes.<\/p>\n Dropping one of your best scorers out of the top six is not an overly common occurrence in the NHL.<\/p>\n But for Guenther, it didn\u2019t matter as he put his head down and injected energy into the offense with back-to-back goals.<\/p>\n Blink and you\u2019ll miss it \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n \ud83d\udea8 Gunner makes it 2-0, Utah! pic.twitter.com\/0cX0tUqbeS<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Gunner gets his second of the night and 23rd of the season! pic.twitter.com\/PWYdEbGNvm<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In turn, JJ Peterka also scored as But presented himself as an overbearing screen in front of Dennis Hildeby.<\/p>\n That puck doesn\u2019t cross the line with But\u2019s size and presence.<\/p>\n \u201cThey [McBain\u2019s line] played hard and fast. They were really fast in everything they did,\u201d Tourigny explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIt clicked\u2026Gunner and Carcs had success last year when they played together. Same thing with Gunner and Bainer\u2026that was the rationale behind it. We were hoping between But, JJ, and Hayton would click as well.\u201d<\/p>\n JJ makes it 4-0 \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n How\u2019s everyone feeling?! pic.twitter.com\/RBpWFaEHxy<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The lines changes worked because both groups received something they were lacking.<\/p>\n Guenther added more speed and playmaking to the third line while But offered a lot more size on the second.<\/p>\n The result?<\/p>\n 26 shots, six goals, 13 points, a huge win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and a stroke of brilliance from the coaching staff.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for the Utah Mammoth?<\/p>\n The Utah Mammoth will continue their seven-game home stand against the Dallas Stars on Thursday night at 7 p.m. MT.<\/p>\n The game will be available on Mammoth+.<\/p>\n All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM\/1280 AM).<\/p>\n Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports.\u00a0Keep up with him on X here<\/a>.\u00a0You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
\nTake us with you, wherever you go.<\/p>\n
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