The Utah Mammoth are focusing on making the NHL playoffs this season. With the Olympic break over and players returning from Milan, the Mammoth players were back on home ice for practice. As they prepare for the final stretch of the NHL season, the Mammoth know they have to dig deep.
The team enjoyed the rare mid-season break, but the mood at practice is all business. Getting back into their groove and gearing up for what’s ahead is what matters. With 25 games remaining in the regular season, the Mammoth are determined to get into the playoffs.
Forward Nick Schmaltz noted it was “a little longer break than we’re used to, but it was nice to get away for a little bit and come back ready and refreshed for the final push here.” He added, “We’re in a good spot going into the last 25 games, so we have to continue to put good games together. Hopefully, we can make a push and get ourselves into a playoff spot.”
Head coach André Tourigny echoed that sentiment, while pointing out that while his group “executed like a team that hadn’t skated in 12 days,” there was plenty of effort and focus during practice.
Utah Getting Injured Players Back
Utah got some good news at practice, with forwards Alexander Kerfoot and Logan Cooley back on the ice with the group. Both were sidelined by injuries earlier this season. The roster right now also features several notable call-ups from the AHL’s Tucson Roadrunners, including Dmitri Simashev, Daniil But, and Maveric Lamoureux.
Their first game back is slated for February 25th against the Colorado Avalanche. The Mammoth are 1-2-0 against the Avalanche this season, but all three games were close. As good as the Avalanche have been all season, Utah has played well against them. They look to even up the season series on Wednesday.
