The Utah Mammoth secured their third consecutive victory with a thrilling 5-4 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, strengthening their position in the NHL’s Western Conference. With 19 games left in the regular season, the Mammoth are pushing to solidify their playoff berth amid a challenging five-game road trip.
MacKenzie Weegar made headlines in his debut for Utah after arriving earlier than expected thanks to expedited work visa approval. Though he missed the morning skate, he quickly joined the lineup and logged more ice time than any teammate, immediately impacting the game.
Weegar’s Immediate Impact in Debut Performance
MacKenzie Weegar’s first game with the Mammoth was marked by a strong two-way presence, as he clocked 23:21 minutes on the ice and recorded an assist, three blocks, three takeaways, and a shot on goal. His seamless integration energized the defense and contributed to the Mammoth’s win.
“I’m having a blast,” Weegar said after the game. “That was really fun.”
Head coach André Tourigny praised his newcomer, stating,
“I like the way he moved the puck, blocked a few shots. Strong in his battles. We like him.”
With Mikhail Sergachev ruled unable to play following warmups, Nick DeSimone was thrust into action despite not warming up initially. His quick readiness paid off with a pivotal play in the second period.
Key Plays Lead to Mammoth’s Decisive Goals
Midway through the second frame, Nick DeSimone launched a precise stretch pass from the defensive zone, setting up Clayton Keller and Dylan Guenther on a breakaway 2-on-0 opportunity. The duo’s slick puck movement left Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins scrambling before Guenther scored to put Utah ahead 2-1.
Alexander Kerfoot Reaches Milestones and Joins the Fight
Alexander Kerfoot celebrated a long-awaited milestone, scoring his 100th career NHL goal after official scorers reviewed a previous play to credit him correctly. He also recorded an assist and unexpectedly engaged in his first NHL fight, enduring punches from Damon Severson during a post-whistle scuffle.
Kerfoot’s combination of a goal, an assist, and a fight earned him his first Gordie Howe hat trick in a single game, highlighting a unique and memorable performance.
Historic Rivalry Continues with Overtime Trends
The Mammoth and Blue Jackets have now faced off four times, with every matchup extending into overtime. Remarkably, the visiting team has won each encounter, continuing an unusual pattern. However, Saturday’s game broke previous trends by finishing with a 5-4 score rather than the typical 3-2 results.
Earlier meetings saw Utah lose on a Zach Werenski overtime goal, retaliate with a dramatic pass from Connor Ingram to Guenther for a win, and fall to a late game-winner by Dmitri Voronkov. In Ohio on Saturday, Logan Cooley emerged as the hero with the game-winning score in overtime.
LOGAN COOLEY OT WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com/vyBqsage9i
What This Victory Means for Utah’s Playoff Hopes
This overtime victory underscores the Mammoth’s resilience and determination as they chase a postseason spot. MacKenzie Weegar’s rapid adjustment and strong performance illustrate how key acquisitions can immediately influence team dynamics. Meanwhile, the team’s ability to prevail in close games against a tough rival adds to their confidence moving forward.
With nearly half their regular season remaining, the Mammoth must maintain this momentum on the road to secure a position in hockey’s biggest tournament and validate their efforts against the Western Conference’s competitive field.
Bill Armstrong says MacKenzie Weegar's timeline to start playing depends on the visa process.
Weegar is Canadian, so he needs proper documentation to be able to play in the U.S.
Armstrong estimates 4-10 days, so unless things move extra quickly, he probably won't play until…
— Brogan Houston (@houston_brogan) March 5, 2026
Weegar is in! pic.twitter.com/izJZA38PHx
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 7, 2026
Just talked to DeSimone, who had a gorgeous assist in that 2nd period, and he told us on @KSLSportsZone that he arrived to rink at 6:45 to throw his gear on once word came down that Sergachev was scratched 😂#TusksUp
— Mike Folta (@mike_folta) March 8, 2026
Tic, tac, toe!
Gunner makes it 2-1, Utah. pic.twitter.com/64p0RJH3PS
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026
LOGAN COOLEY OT WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com/vyBqsage9i
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 8, 2026
