Registering the most minutes (23:21) of any Mammoth against Columbus, Weegar impressed in his debut alongside Sean Durzi on Utah\u2019s top defensive pairing.<\/p>\n
In addition to a helper on Alexander Kerfoot\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Stenny puts us ahead! \ud83d\ude01<\/p>\n
3-2, Utah. pic.twitter.com\/wSzAc0GbS9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI thought everybody made me feel comfortable,\u201d Weegar explained. \u201cThe backend, the coaching staff, obviously knowing Bear a bit.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEverybody just made me feel comfortable and I think that\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n To come in somewhat unexpectedly and fit in right away speaks volumes about Weegar\u2019s game.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cHe played really good,\u201d Head coach Andre Tourigny said. \u201cI like the way he moved the puck, blocked a few shots, and was strong in his battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe like him.\u201d<\/p>\n To Tourigny\u2019s credit, how can you not?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A chaotic third period should serve as an important lesson for the Mammoth<\/p>\n That third period in Columbus was something, eh?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI felt like that third period was a bit of a playoff taste there with the physicality and the crowd was into it,\u201d Weegar noted.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what it\u2019s going to be like down the stretch with these games. I thought we did a great job closing it.\u201d<\/p>\n What a beauty, Logan Cooley!!!<\/p>\n 4-2, Utah. pic.twitter.com\/ZkXkFRwqbn<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2 GOALS. 30 SECONDS. MUSH TIES IT UP! \ud83d\udca5<\/p>\n CBJ x @FanaticsBook<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/NdHhr2qzs1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n WE GOT SOME ROUGH STUFF BETWEEN THE BLUE JACKETS AND MAMMOTH \ud83d\ude31\ud83d\udc4a pic.twitter.com\/PFNId2DS3z<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n To this point in their existence, that may have been the most playoff-like atmosphere the Mammoth have ever participated in.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n That\u2019s about as playoff-like as it gets.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s an unbelievable feeling,\u201d Logan Cooley said with a visible grin on his face.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve 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\u2026it was awesome. Super fun to play in.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The lessons to be learned?<\/p>\n No lead is safe.<\/p>\n Teams will do everything they can to win back momentum.<\/p>\n Physicality reaches a new level when emotions run high.<\/p>\n But perhaps the most important lesson of them all?<\/p>\n Utah proved they can handle it.<\/p>\n They\u2019re no longer the pushover team simply playing for pride with a postseason berth well out of reach.<\/p>\n No.<\/p>\n They\u2019re in the hunt and can hold their own against any team as they charge towards the postseason.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The Mammoth conducted a masterclass in OT as Cold-Blooded Cooley called game<\/p>\n In overtime hockey, possession trumps all.<\/p>\n Why?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n However, when the game isn\u2019t necessarily producing 2-on-1 rushes in either direction, both possession and patience become even more important.<\/p>\n Against Columbus, that\u2019s exactly how Utah managed to steal the second point.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Rather than trying to force a play, Utah circulated the puck, retreated when necessary, got the right personnel on the ice and then pounced.<\/p>\n The result?<\/p>\n A well-timed hesitation by Keller who found Logan Cooley in a perfect position to call game.<\/p>\n LOGAN COOLEY OT WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com\/vyBqsage9i<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n This is what it takes to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n Not necessarily perfection at all times, but a collective team effort that refuses to break and finds ways to win.<\/p>\n A little magic from 9 and 92 never hurt either.<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for the Utah Mammoth?<\/p>\n The Utah Mammoth will continue their five-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at 6:30 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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