The Utah Mammoth would like to forget their recent trip through Eastern Canada. On Wednesday, they lost 5-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. A back-to-back series on Saturday (Montreal Canadiens) and Sunday (Ottawa Senators) didn’t fare any better. The Mammoth will return home to host the Buffalo Sabres this Wednesday.
Despite a strong start against the Maple Leafs and an early lead in the first period, the Mammoth struggled to match the Maple Leafs’ momentum. During the second period, the Maple Leafs took the lead with two goals. However, the Mammoth managed to tie the game with a goal from defenseman Mikhail Sergachev. Toronto’s exceptional performance in the third period is what sealed the deal. John Tavares scored the decisive goal for the Maple Leafs. Former Utah player. Matias Maccelli registered a goal and an assist for two points against his old team.
Utah Mammoth Lose Back-to-Back on Weekend
Things went from bad to worse for the Mammoth on the weekend. On Saturday, they lost to the Eastern Conference-leading Montreal Canadiens 6-2. Utah had no answer for Cole Caufield on his two goals. They also couldn’t solve Samuel Montembeault enough. Montreal had Utah’s number for almost the entire game. Just like the game against the Maple Leafs, the Mammoth took an early first-period lead but couldn’t hang on to it.
During Sunday’s game against the Ottawa Senators, the Mammoth trailed the entire game. Clayton Keller scored late in the first to tie the game. However, the Senators would score twice in the second period to take a 3-1 lead. Mammoth’s top point producer, Nick Schmaltz, scored late in the second to get Utah within one, but the Senators scored another goal in the third, and that was all they needed.
The Mammoth play six of their next eight games at home. Hopefully, that will help them right their ship before it begins to sink. They have a 4-1 home record this season. For a team that was the best in the west not long ago, the Mammoth currently sit in the second wild card spot.
