The Utah Mammoth were one shot away from taking a commanding series lead over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 5. However, it was Brett Howden who won the game in double overtime with a shorthanded goal. With chances to win both Game 4 and 5, the Mammoth are heading home on the ropes, but captain Clayton Keller is remaining confident.
“We’re a confident group. We believe in one another and in our team,” Keller said, “These are the most fun games to be a part of. Down 3-2, we get to go home, playing in front of our fans. If you are not fired up for that, then you’ve got something wrong with you.”
Mammoth defenseman John Marino isn’t giving up yet either, “We play and stick to our game. We know how effective we can be against them. … It’s a pretty deep group. Line after line, we just keep coming after them. That’s when we’re at our best.”
If the Mammoth end up losing this series, they will remember it as the one that got away. They had a 4-3 lead in the third period of both Games 4 and 5, losing both matchups in overtime. First, it was Shea Theodore tying the game with under a minute to go with the Vegas net empty. Then it was Howden in double overtime to take the series lead. If the Mammoth can find a way to win Game 6 at home on Friday, they should have all the confidence in the world heading into Game 7.
Mammoth Looking Ahead
The Mammoth have made the playoffs in their second season and had an opportunity to close out the Golden Knights early. Overtime losses have prevented that, but Keller and Marino know the series is not over. A series win against the high-flying Golden Knights would give them more confidence moving forward, both this season and into the future.
The Mammoth will host the Golden Knights in Game 6 on Friday night. Will that be their final game of the season, or can they live to see Game 7 on Sunday?
