Logan Cooley #92 of the Utah Mammoth warms up before a game against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on October 8, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Mammoth are currently tied for the best record in the western conference after successfully handing the Edmonton Oilers their first regulation loss of the season to improve to 6-2.
Led by forwards Logan Cooley and Clayton Keller, Utah collectively frustrated Edmonton’s stars all night to emerge from Rogers Place with an impressive two points.
While there’s no arguing that Logan Cooley is a remarkable talent, 92 also possesses the unique ability to flip a switch and play absolutely possessed hockey.
Against the Oilers, Cooley became Edmonton’s worst nightmare by utilizing his speed, creativity, tenacity, and smooth handles to lead the Mammoth to victory with his first goal of the season.
“Each year, you just learn it’s a process,” Cooley said during the second intermission. “If you keep doing the right things, they’ll start to fall in and that was kind of my main focus. I was fortunate enough that one went in.”
As Cooley noted, when a player is struggling to see results on the ice, the best solution is to simply keep playing their game and do all the right things.
That means skating with a purpose through all three zones, making the right plays and if you want to score, go the net.
Eagerly seeking his first goal of the year, Cooley attacked the net front with ferocity as the Pittsburgh connection struck yet again to light the lamp.
Speed on display 💨
Cools makes it 3-1, Utah. https://t.co/D6in6MNnXI
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) October 16, 2026
Additionally, 92 also executed one of the most jaw-dropping assists of the season as he froze the defense with a wizard pass between his legs to set up Clayton Keller for an easy one on the power play.
“He still amazes you with some of the things he does with the puck,” Barrett Hayton said. “His vision, speed, and skill. It’s fun to watch.”
“Heck of a play to Kells on the power play. Trocheck did a great job on that play too. That’s a hard one to finish with your stick on your backhand. Happy to see him get that one.”
One of the dirtiest passes Cooley has ever made.
Absolute wizardry to go between the legs there and set up Keller for an easy one. https://t.co/A5DkibMqFJ
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) October 16, 2026
When Cooley plays his own unique style of possessed hockey, he has the potential to not only be the best skater on the ice on any given night, but he very well could evolve into one of the best players in the entire league.
When facing Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, it takes an entire committee to walk away from Rogers Place with two points.
That means a fully committed effort throughout all three zones with the necessary structure and layers in place to make it as hard as possible on McDavid.
“I’m really proud of the way we defend, the way we play away from the puck,” head coach Andre Tourigny said. “We were really structured, more physical. I think we made it hard for every inch on the ice.”
“The team on the other side, they’re a good team. They played really well and it was a hard-fought game.”
How did the Mammoth manifest that structure?
By competing for every inch of ice and being aware of 97 at all times with a harsh forecheck, continuous physicality through the neutral zone, help in the defensive zone and every single skater’s head on a swivel.
Ultimately, this frustrated Edmonton’s top line as they finished with just a single goal and seven shots on net.
“They’re an unbelievable team over there,” Cooley said. “Some of the best players in the world. When we have a showing like that, playing committed hockey, we can beat anyone in this league.”
“That’s the confidence we need and the confidence we’re going to have going through the rest of the season.”
Thursday’s win over the Oilers required the Mammoth to collectively be at the top of their game in order to play disruptive hockey.
Sure, there were mistakes along the way, but it’s that kind of effort that will keep the Mammoth rolling early in the season as they continue to face a challenging schedule.
The Utah Mammoth will face the Edmonton Oilers at the Delta Center on Saturday night at 8 p.m. MT.
The game will be available on SEG+.
All Mammoth games will also be broadcast live on the KSL Sports Zone (97.5 FM/1280 AM).
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
