NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 03: Karel Vejmelka #70 of the Utah Mammoth in action against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on January 03, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils won 4-1. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
TAMPA, Fla. — The Utah Mammoth fought hard for the whole 60, but ultimately came up short on the road against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.
The shots were nearly identical, 27 against Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka and 28 against Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy. The penalty minutes were neck-and-neck too, but the Lightning scored on two of their power plays while Utah went 0/4.
The Mammoth will stay in the Sunshine State to take on the reigning champion Florida Panthers.
📍 on-site. pic.twitter.com/kUfIRa1khF
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 26, 2026
Vejmelka in net for Utah tonight. https://t.co/P0RYZhAfl8
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 26, 2026
Let’s get it, fellas! pic.twitter.com/ErUlbhM82r
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 26, 2026
Puck drop with these guys ⬇️#TusksUp | @ZionsBank pic.twitter.com/J8T9SJo9k4
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 27, 2026
Great first shift by Utah’s second line.
Ferocious on the forecheck, battling in front of the net, reloading, and putting immense pressure on Tampa.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Back-and-forth through the first few minutes here as both teams are attacking with pace and physicality.
Tampa has done well winning battles in the neutral zone while Utah has mostly been effective on their breakouts.
Two hottest teams in the NHL battling early.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Vasilevskiy with a routine save on Yamamoto in the slot.
Lots of space to get off a shot but have to be better to beat Tampa’s goaltender.
Insane pass by Schmaltz though. Found Yamamoto from his knees.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Utah’s second line is buzzing early.
They have been so good on the forecheck. Generating a plethora of chances and sustaining possession in the O-Zone.
This is a fun game so far.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Sergachev to the box for slashing Kucherov.
Lightning to the PP.
1P: 2:44 | 0-0
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Utah back to full strength.
Vejmelka was superb. https://t.co/g9pLDpBrzW
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Man, blink and you’ll completely miss Guenther’s shot.
Absolutely nasty release.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Scoreless first period between the Mammoth and Lightning.
Utah leads SOG 12-0.
The two hottest teams in the NHL have not disappointed.
40 to go. https://t.co/VKB69bFA1A
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2026
Scoreless after the first. pic.twitter.com/vkMgvryK4R
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 27, 2026
Lightning called for a hold.
Utah to the PP.
2P: 15:15 | 0-0
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Vasilevskiy is so good.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Another PP for the Mammoth after Carlile put Durzi in a headlock and started throwing punches.
Carlile with 4 minutes. Durzi with 2 minutes.
2P: 13:00 | 0-0
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Tampa back to full strength.
Decent PP for the top unit as they sustained possession but just couldn’t find the net.
Couple big blocks and sticks by the Lightning. https://t.co/ZxinKXCl29
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Pulverizing hit by Ian Cole along the boards and then a short fight with Nick Paul who was answering for his teammate.
Interference penalty against Cole in addition to the fight.
Tampa to the PP.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Another penalty against the Mammoth as Marino is called for a trip.
Lightning with another PP.
2P: 3:36 | 0-0
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Raddysh scores on a one-timer.
Could feel it coming as the Lightning suffocated Utah.
Back-to-back penalties cost the Mammoth here in the middle frame. https://t.co/qCyY5qGt4D
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Utah trails Tampa Bay 1-0 after the second period.
Despite a closely contested battle, a pair of penalties cost the Mammoth as the Lightning punished them on the man advantage.
3rd period on deck.
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 27, 2026
Onto the third. pic.twitter.com/mXvEoo6GUi
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 27, 2026
Andrei Vasilevskiy stones Keller on the breakaway.
Keller lost the puck at his feet as he approached the net, and Vasilevskiy slammed the door as he attempted to go five hole.
Utah still trails by a goal. Have to be much better to find the back of the net in Tampa.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Tampa called for holding.
Utah to the PP. Must score situation.
3P: 6:44 | 1-0 Lightning
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Tampa back to full strength.
Perfectly defended by the Lightning. Disruptive through the entire power play. Didn’t give Utah much to work with. https://t.co/nnUnUp1z8s
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Durzi is hurting as he slowly made his way to the bench.
He went head first into the boards behind Tampa’s net.
He’s headed back to the locker room.
Those kinds of checks are really scary.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Crouse to the box for roughing.
Lightning to the PP.
3P: 2:31 | 1-0 Tampa
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Hagel scores on the power play.
Vejmelka punches the ground in the frustration.
Tough for the Mammoth as they played so well at 5 on 5 tonight.
Penalties were the difference.
2-0 Lightning https://t.co/EioMgno8qD
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
First time I’ve seen Sergachev drop the gloves. Didn’t get to go but he wanted a piece of a Girgensons. Refs stop it before it can really start.
Guenther looked ready to go too.
— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) January 27, 2026
Bounce back tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/1RbyAwSCrE
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 27, 2026
Utah Mammoth games can be viewed on SEG+. Fans can also tune in on the KSL Sports app or 97.5 and 1280 The Zone. Click here for the full schedule.
Find sports.ksl.com coverage of the Utah Mammoth here.
