\u2014 Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n While Sergachev deserves a lot of credit for the goal, Cooley was also instrumental as he recognized the one-timer wasn\u2019t there, moved into a passing lane, split the defense quickly to get the puck to the point and then snuck to the backdoor to beat the goaltender.<\/p>\n The young forwards potential is simply off the charts.<\/p>\n While he\u2019s already demonstrated so much skill, it\u2019s hard to imagine that he\u2019s even scratched the surface in terms of how good he can actually be.<\/p>\n In a game that often rewards odd-man situations, Cooley\u2019s ability to create that space on his own is invaluable.<\/p>\n A dominant performance by the top line and a three-point night for the captain<\/p>\n With seven points between Lawson Crouse, Nick Schmaltz, and Clayton Keller, the Mammoth\u2019s top line had a productive night against Minnesota.<\/p>\n Utilizing each of their individual skillsets, the trio was simply unstoppable against the Wild as Schmaltz generated turnovers, Keller facilitated and Crouse buried Grade A scoring chances in tight.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udde3\ufe0fClayton, and we can not stress this enough, Keller!<\/p>\n 2-0, Mammoth. pic.twitter.com\/PRILG0ZCPV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Six sevennnnnn \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n Crouser makes it 3-0, Mammoth! pic.twitter.com\/7SStbtHOij<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The beauty of that line is how well they all complement each other.<\/p>\n Obviously, Keller and Schmaltz have an undeniable chemistry, but when you add Crouse, it opens up even more space in the offensive zone.<\/p>\n \u201cSince we\u2019ve been together, there\u2019s some chemistry\u201d Clayton Keller said. \u201cWe\u2019re always talking about different things that we see in practice days, morning skate, and throughout the games.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think Crouser has been so big for us. He creates so much space for me and Schmaltzy. He does the little things that separate us. It\u2019s great to see that he can finish too. He\u2019s a really smart player, and I really enjoy playing with him.\u201d<\/p>\n As Keller noted, the three have built a lethal chemistry which was on full display during Crouse\u2019s first goal.<\/p>\n Schmaltz stripped the defense on the forecheck, played it to Keller in the corner, and then with eyes in the back of his head, the captain fed Crouse right in the slot which he buried on the backhand.<\/p>\n \u201cSeems like it doesn\u2019t matter what team we\u2019re playing and he\u2019s still picking up points,\u201d Crouse said of Keller. He\u2019s just a lot of fun to play with, and a lot of credit to Schmaltz too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThey play so well together, reading off each other. It\u2019s just a lot of fun to play with them and a lot of fun to watch.\u201d<\/p>\n When that line is clicking, they\u2019re incredibly difficult to contain as they present so many different ways to expose opponents.<\/p>\n Utah shook off the rust as they suffocated a tired Minnesota Wild team all night<\/p>\n Following a three-week hiatus to accommodate the Winter Olympics, the Utah Mammoth looked RUSTY in a 4-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.<\/p>\n The biggest issues?<\/p>\n They weren\u2019t winning battles and greatly lacked connection with an inability to string together dangerous passes.<\/p>\n Against the Wild, the Mammoth completely flipped the script as they suffocated and broke down a tired Wild team on the second half of a back-to-back.<\/p>\n Nick Schmaltz deserves so much credit on this goal.<\/p>\n Active stick to create the turnover and then a well-placed pass away from the defenseman\u2019s stick to set up Keller with an easy one.pic.twitter.com\/32qMXgKXci<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Haytes on the power play!<\/p>\n 4-1, Mammoth. pic.twitter.com\/mJryMEbBY9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) February 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n After a few odd man rushes by Minnesota through the first few minutes, Utah locked in and refused to look back.<\/p>\n They were aggressive on the forecheck, generated turnovers, dominated possession in the offensive zone and eventually wore down a superior opponent.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the style they have to play down the stretch.<\/p>\n Just gritty, in your face, suffocating hockey that forces teams into submission as they win back pucks and then break down the defense with their skill.<\/p>\n That\u2019s when Utah is at their best.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re a really fast team,\u201d Clayton Keller said. \u201cWe can make a lot of plays.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the biggest thing for us is sticking to our identity as much as we can\u2026the good teams are the most consistent. Even when you don\u2019t feel your best, you find a way.\u201d<\/p>\n The captain is absolutely spot on.<\/p>\n The teams who generally make the playoffs are the ones who refuse to waiver from their identity and produce a consistent product.<\/p>\n If Utah can play their game most nights down the stretch, they\u2019ll make the postseason without question.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for the Utah Mammoth?<\/p>\n The Utah Mammoth will conclude their three-game home stand against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 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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