Logan Cooley Leads Utah to Victory Over Minnesota Wild

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Logan Cooley scored two goals and added an assist as the Utah Mammoth defeated the Minnesota Wild 6-2 on Saturday night. Cooley, a former University of Minnesota star, helped the Mammoth to an early three-goal lead before flexing his playmaking skills to support a third-period goal.

Minnesota’s Marcus Johansson, who was elevated to the top line, scored two goals, marking his 16th career two-goal game. Karel Vejmelka made 33 saves, including 11 during three third-period Wild power plays, helping Utah to their sixth consecutive win.

The Mammoth raced to a 2-0 lead within the first four minutes of the game, with Cooley scoring both of his goals in quick succession. His first came as he backhanded a puck over Wild defenseman Marco Rossi’s stick, catching goalie Filip Gustavsson off guard. “I didn’t even see the puck really,” Cooley said, recalling the moment.

After the Wild attempted a comeback, Cooley assisted JJ Peterka‘s goal with just over six minutes left in the game, creating distance for the Mammoth. “It just bounced. I went to the one guy thinking he was trying to play it, and it went over his stick,” Johansson said, expressing frustration over missed opportunities.

Nick Schmaltz solidified the win for Utah, scoring his second goal of the game late in the third period, bringing his total to seven goals in the last five games. This victory marks a tough start for the Wild, who are now 3-5-1 this season and come off a disappointing 1-3-1 road trip.

Defenseman Brock Faber emphasized the need for improvement. “I think we’ve yet to put out our best game,” he said. With the Wild set to host the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night, the urgency for a turnaround is clear.

Cooley’s offensive burst is significant, as his five goals in two games marked the most by a Utah player in a two-game span. “It’s always a lot more fun when you’re scoring, and obviously winning, too,” Cooley added, appreciating the team’s success during this winning streak.

The Wild, struggling offensively with the majority of their goals coming from power plays, have been in a rotation with their lineups in hopes of spark. With multiple forwards shifted around, the focus is on finding consistency as they continue to seek solutions on the ice.