Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) skates onto the ice during player introductions before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Caitlin is a general assignment reporter with the Politics and the West team. She covers politics, breaking news and other topics.
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Exactly two years after players, coaches and front-office staff from the former Arizona Coyotes first arrived in Salt Lake City, fans filled the Delta Center to watch the Utah Mammoth win the franchise’s first-ever home playoff game.
The energy inside the full arena was electric as Utah defeated the Vegas Golden Knights, 4-2. Utah now leads the franchise’s first-ever playoff series 2-1.
There was also plenty of excitement outside the Delta Center ahead of puck drop on Friday evening. There was a plaza party, a jersey exchange and watch parties taking place around Salt Lake City.
Brad Tuttle, a fan attending the game, was in attendance for the 2002 Olympic gold medal game between the United States and Canada at what is now the Maverik Center.
“Which at that point was the greatest of all hockey games to ever take place in the state of Utah,” Tuttle said. “But I think this is, even though not as important to the country, but for the community here, it’s a really neat thing to be able to be a part of.”
A young fan pounds the glass after a goal by Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
“Very important to be here for game one,” he added.
Tuttle was attending the game with his friend Chris Wilcox. The two have played hockey for years and are longtime fans.
“The NHL playoffs are, in my opinion, the best playoffs,” Wilcox said. “And I don’t think there’s any trophy greater than the Stanley Cup. So I think it’s pretty awesome to be part of the playoffs.”
Not only did it take the Mammoth just two seasons to make the Stanley Cup playoffs, but they have also managed to build a strong fan base and turn Salt Lake City into a hockey town in that short time.
Fans take photos on the Zammoth ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
On the day before the first playoff game, the Mammoth also held a Nate Schmidt lookalike contest where fans tried to emulate the iconic look of the bald defenseman.
On Friday, people gathered on the plaza outside the Delta Center several hours before puck drop. Fans sang and danced, played street hockey and waited to get their faces painted.
The crown jewel of the plaza party was the Zammoth — a Zamboni from the 2002 Winter Olympics that was transformed into a fan-engagement vehicle — stationed in the center of the festivities where people could climb aboard to take photos. At any time, there were dozens of people standing in line to get their picture in the Zammoth, which has become extremely popular in the few weeks since its debut.
“I think that the fan experience is a huge factor in how many games you go to every season, so I love it,” said Kaysie Polad, a fan who was in attendance at Friday’s game. “It’s so awesome.”
A fan waves a rally towel during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Mammoth jerseys were everywhere. There were others who got more creative, some with bedazzled jackets in Mammoth colors, others with blue wigs. There was even a pair who created their own two-person mammoth costume.
In a sea of Mammoth jerseys and outfits of black, white and Mammoth blue, the small number of Vegas fans stood out like a sore thumb.
Hours before the plaza party began, hundreds of fans lined up outside the Delta Center to exchange their Vegas Golden Knights jerseys for Utah Mammoth jerseys. The line stretched down the side of the Delta Center and all the jerseys set aside for the exchange were given away.
A fan starts a chant during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The theatricality of building a new NHL franchise
There are some teams in the NHL that have been around for over 100 years, and those teams tend to stick to tradition and the identity they have built over the last century. As a new franchise, the Utah Mammoth don’t have that established sense of identity or tradition, which allows them be more creative in how they present their team and build their fan base.
Some of these creative methods have become a bit theatrical, like the recently introduced Zammoth or the Utah Mammoth dancers who made their debut for the playoffs.
The Vegas Golden Knights are a relatively new team in the NHL as well, and made their debut during the 2017-2018 season. They have also leaned into the fun and theatricality of being a new team.
Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
One of the most fun aspects of the Mammoth experience is the team’s mascot Tusky, who was introduced at the beginning of the season after the team took on its official name. Tusky has become a big part of fan engagement, riding out on the Zammoth waving a large Mammoth flag after each home game win.
Polad is a newer hockey fan who got into the sport after her parents bought her tickets to a game for Christmas.
“I was like instantly hooked,” she said. “Like, I was on my feet screaming and shouting, knowing nothing about hockey.”
And now she’s gone to multiple games, owns her own jersey and even put on a bald cap to participate in the Nate Schmidt lookalike contest the Mammoth held last week.
Fans enjoy pre-game festivities in the plaza before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
She was attending the game with her friend Bridget Kahokuokalani, who got into hockey thanks to Polad.
“It’s fun seeing what they’re pulling out for the playoffs and like even before playoffs I feel like they were pretty engaged with everyone and always doing stuff with the fans for the fans and it’s just been fun seeing them adapt to playoff mode,” Kahokuokalani said.
The first playoff game in the Delta Center featured a new video which featured Tusky getting ready for the game before stepping out on the ice — hockey stick in hand — to hype up the crowd.
After Tusky’s entrance, Mammoth fans all around the arena took to their feet, waving the rally towels that had been placed on each seat as they chanted in anticipation for the team to take the ice. The excitable energy in the air was palpable.
Fans wave a flag outside the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
The energy inside the playoff arena
It took just seconds after the puck drop for cheering to fill the Delta Center, with seemingly the whole arena chanting “Veggie” as Mammoth goalie Karel Vejmelka made his first save of the night.
The physicality from the first two games of the series continued into the third game when just four minutes in, some Utah and Vegas players began to rough each other up. The crowd was instantly on its feet preparing for a fight, which was quickly shut down by officials.
This same anticipation was seen every time the players began to get physical with each other.
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Ahead of the Mammoth’s first goal, the crowd seemed ready to explode.
The first goal of the game scored by defenseman Mackenzie Weegar in the first period. The crowd erupted, singing along to the goal song — “Pretty Handsome Awkward” by The Used.
This same excitement was felt after all four goals scored by the Mammoth.
The crowd’s energy continued through the end of the game which the Mammoth won 4-2. As the fans spill out the arena, they continued to cheer and chant, not losing the joy and excitement that was felt inside.
Fans wave rally towels before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Fans cheer as Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates scoring a power play goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A fan waves a rally towel during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A fan starts a chant during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) is showered with an assortment of vegetables after being announced as the second star of the game after the Utah Mammoth defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) skates to the bench after assisting on a goal by center Nic Dowd (26) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) sit in the penalty box during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The Utah Mammoth celebrate their first ever home playoff win after defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) lines up a hit on Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley (92) protects the puck from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights head coach John Tortorella speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller, left, and left wing Lawson Crouse, right speak with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth head coach André Tourigny speaks with media after game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans cheer during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb (3) jumps on the back of Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) reacts after losing his stick while fighting for a loose puck with Utah Mammoth defenseman Ian Cole (28) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) protects the puck from Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates with the bench after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) checks Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) into the boards during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) dives to poke the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) as he prepares to shoot against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) celebrates after scoring during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth center Kevin Stenlund (82) clears the puck away from Vegas Golden Knights center Tomas Hertl (48) during the third period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Kailer Yamamoto (56) controls the puck ahead of Vegas Golden Knights center Nic Dowd (26) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans take photos on the Zammoth ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Kids play street hockey on the plaza ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Kids play street hockey on the plaza ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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People walk around the plaza outside ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Josh Likes, of Utah County, gets a temporary tattoo ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans get temporary tattoos ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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People walk around the plaza outside ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Rally towels are draped over seats ahead of Game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A Tusky plushy sits on the hat of a fan ahead of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans enjoy pre-game festivities in the plaza before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans wave a flag outside the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A general view of the inside of the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans walk to the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans walk to the Delta Center before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) warms up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans look on during warmups before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) warms up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The Utah Mammoth warm up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Alex Darrow and his son Charlie, 9, cheer before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans pound the glass as players warm up before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans cheer after Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) scored the first goal during the first period of game 3 during the first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans wave rally towels before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) skates onto the ice during player introductions before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans film during pre-game festivities before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights center Tomáš Hertl (48) chases down a puck during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Utah Mammoth at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans stand for the national anthem before game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series between the Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) fires a shot past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) to open the scoring during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) reacts after Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) scored during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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A young fan pounds the glass after a goal by Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans cheer after a goal by Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52) celebrates after scoring the Mammoths first ever home playoff goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff against the Vegas Golden Knights series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) centers the puck past Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Fans cheer as Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates scoring a power play goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Dylan Guenther (11) celebrates after scoring a power play goal during the first period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) bats down a puck ahead of Vegas Golden Knights right wing Cole Smith (22) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) makes a save during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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The Utah Mammoth celebrate a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing JJ Peterka (77) hits Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Kaedan Korczak (6) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) controls the puck during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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Utah Mammoth defenseman Sean Durzi (50) lines up a hit on Vegas Golden Knights center Brett Howden (21) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 73 of 76
73 of 76
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots past Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) to score his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 74 of 76
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The Utah Mammoth celebrate a goal by Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 75 of 76
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Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) celebrates with defenseman MacKenzie Weegar (52), right wing Clayton Keller (9), defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) and center Nick Schmaltz (8) after scoring his second goal of the game during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
Photo Gallery: 76 of 76
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Vegas Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith (19) hits Utah Mammoth center Liam O'Brien (38) during the second period of game 3 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoff series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 24, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News
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