Going back and watching every Utah Mammoth goal of the season, one thing became immediately clear: This is one of the most dynamic teams in hockey.
The Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Barrett Hayton line can practically pass the puck into the net, and the Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, JJ Peterka line is so incredibly fast.
After studying the tape of all 47 Mammoth goals so far this season, we’ve used a highly scientific method to select the nicest 10 (the method is called the “Wow Factor,” and its only criterion is how loudly the goal makes you say “wow”).
10. Guenther’s OT winner in Nashville
Need a game-winning goal? Guenther is your guy. He scored the gold medal winner at the World Juniors in 2023 and he already has 18 GWGs in the NHL.
9. Peterka scores on impossible feed from Guenther in Chicago
This pass went through two NHL defensemen and an NHL goaltender, and it somehow avoided all of them. Guenther is mainly known for his shot, but every now and then he makes a play like this, reminding everyone that he’s not a one-trick pony.
8. ‘The Kid Line’ strikes in Winnipeg
All three members of Utah’s second line factored into this goal. They’re all locked into long-term contracts, so get ready to see a lot more of these in the coming years.
7. Cooley’s low-slot drive in St. Louis
There’s nothing more commanding than a heavy slap shot from close range — and there’s probably nothing more intimidating for a goaltender to face. Cooley placed this one perfectly en route to his second-career hat trick.
6. Schmaltz to Keller vs. Boston
Pay close attention to Schmaltz on this one. The perfect pass might stand out the most, but equally important was the way he built up speed despite not having much runway to do so. He circled the offensive zone and used Ian Cole as a pick to create a two-on-two, then set his captain up for the tap-in.
5. Guenther to Cooley in Nashville
There’s not much else to say with this one, other than reemphasizing how dynamic these young studs are.
4. Yamamoto to Carcone in Winnipeg
This is the lone goal on this list that came from the bottom six. Once upon a time, Kailer Yamamoto was an everyday NHL player who skated alongside Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. While he doesn’t play as much anymore, his talent level is still clear.
3. Peterka burns the Flames
Peterka speed skated competitively as a child. All these years later, it’s coming in handy.
2. Cooley’s baseball-style goal in Minnesota
It took everyone a minute to realize that this was a goal, but that shouldn’t take away from how incredible it was. If hockey hadn’t worked out for him, he probably could have made a career out of baseball.
1. Cooley’s self-tweener in St. Louis
See that Blues defenseman wearing number 17? That’s Cam Fowler, who has been a top-pairing defenseman for the better part of his 16-year NHL career, though you wouldn’t realize it based on how badly 21-year-old Cooley beat him.
To put it into context, Cooley was six years old when Fowler made his NHL debut. These young guys are tearing through the league, making the vets look like rookies.