That would’ve capped a memorable night March 7 at sold-out Nationwide Arena, but perfect endings haven’t happened often at the building. Thus, it wasn\u2019t too surprising when the roar of 18,668 Blue Jackets fans gave way to pained silence after Logan Cooley’s winning goal 2:08 into 3-on-3 overtime lifted the Utah Mammoth<\/a> to a 5-4 victory.<\/p>\n Mar 7, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins (90) sticks Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) out of the crease during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images<\/p>\n It was deflating, but also fitting for Conor Garland’s Jackets debut. In fact, it was Garland and defenseman Ivan Provorov getting crossed up in their assignments that led to Cooley’s goal and taunting celebration.<\/p>\n Adam Fantilli and Mason Marchment scored goals 30 seconds apart to erase a 4-2 deficit with 5:52 left in the third period. Charlie Coyle’s line was next over the boards.<\/p>\n The Jackets sent the arena\u2019s decibel level skyrocketing by engaging in a melee that began with Coyle\u2019s impassioned response to a questionable hooking penalty. Despite Utah\u2019s Nick DeSimone clutching Coyle’s stick and pulling it from his grip, the Blue Jackets center drew the only penalty.<\/p>\n Mar 7, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; A scrum breaks out between the Utah Mammoth and Columbus Blue Jackets during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images<\/p>\n Coyle threw his arms in the air, began carping at referee Michael Markovic and pushed away Mammoth forward Alex Kerfoot, who immediately flopped onto the ice. That caused former Blue Jackets center Kevin Stenlund to respond by giving Coyle a shove, which caught Matthieu Olivier’s attention.<\/p>\n Olivier, the NHL\u2019s top enforcer, tried to go after Kerfoot before another former Blue Jacket, Ian Cole, got in his way. Those two squared off, twice, and Olivier was tossed from the game after he racked up 27 minutes in penalties.<\/p>\n Damon Severson dropped his gloves to fight Kerfoot and eventually skated to the penalty box, pumping both arms. It was madness, pure and simple, as a packed house worked itself into a loud crescendo.<\/p>\n \u201cThe whole night was electric,\u201d Olivier said. \u201cWe went down 4-2 and came back into it, and when we made it 4-4, that was really, really loud. I didn\u2019t have time to pay attention to it [while fighting], but it was fun to get the fans into it, that\u2019s for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Mar 7, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Utah Mammoth defenseman Nick DeSimone (57) blocks a Columbus Blue Jackets shot attempt during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images<\/p>\n As brutish as bare-knuckle fights are in pro hockey, nothing quite matches them for the ability to turn a large crowd of mostly adults into a horde of overgrown children.<\/p>\n They scream at players and officials, smack the glass windows surrounding the rink and delight in watching the chaos. That\u2019s what it was like in those final five minutes of regulation, as the Jackets filled the barn full of hopeful energy.<\/p>\n Cooley deflated it in OT and then mocked the crowd with a shushing gesture. It was a humbling way to finish a breathtaking game. The good news is the Blue Jackets skated off with a point, which mitigated the sting, but they sure could\u2019ve used a fourth straight win.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fans were fantastic tonight,\u201d Blue Jackets coach Rick Bowness said. \u201cOur crowd is loud. It\u2019s been like that for 25 years that I\u2019ve been coming in here, so I just needed \u2026 we needed to hear that [goal] cannon one more time.\u201d<\/p>\n Mar 7, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) scores a goal on a wrist shot against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images<\/p>\n The Blue Jackets are now at 73 points, just two shy of the Boston Bruins<\/a> for the second of two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. The Bruins defeated the Washington Capitals in regulation March 7 before the Jackets hosted the Mammoth.<\/p>\n Gaining a point in overtime also kept the Blue Jackets within three points of the Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> for third in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins lost in OT to the Philadelphia Flyers, allowing the New York Islanders to climb past them into the Metro’s second spot with a road shootout win against the San Jose Sharks.<\/p>\n 978<\/p>\n Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger<\/a> can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com<\/a> and @BrianHedger.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Mar](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/eb4accbdb2bde4662562b90ecdcc870e.jpeg\"\/)
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