On the heels of a 1-3-1 road trip, Wild coach John Hynes said Friday he wanted to see his team battle with more consistency throughout a full 60-minute game, on draws, on the boards and in the corners — anywhere that players can win possession and put their team on the attack.
It didn’t happen on Saturday. The Wild came out of the gates with little energy and in less than five minutes fell behind the Utah Mammoth 3-0 — and it cost them another two points.
Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Utah Mammoth defenseman Olli Määttä (2) battle for position during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
Former Gophers star Logan Cooley scored a pair of goals in the game’s first 3:29, and goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 33 shots as the Mammoth made that early lead stick in a 6-2 victory at Grand Casino Arena.
Nick Schmaltz made it 3-0 with a goal at 4:58, giving the Mammoth all the goals they would need to improve to 7-2-0. Cooley had the first assist on J.J Peterka’s game-sealing goal at 13:37 of third period, and Schmaltz added a second goal on a late breakaway.
Gustavsson finished with 35 saves.
Marcus Johansson scored twice for Minnesota, his first two-goal game since Jan. 23, 2024, against Washington and sixth since Dec. 2017. His second, a 3-on-4 power-play goal, pulled the Wild within 3-2 with just more than four minutes to play in the second period.
The Wild drew a quick power play to start the third period — Jack McBain was called for tripping — but despite some juicy chances couldn’t add to their momentum.
Cooley started the scoring when he deflected an arcing back with his backhand, ruining Filip Gustavsson’s plan to glove it. Instead, it caromed off the goaltender’s back for a 1-0 lead at 56 seconds. His second goal, poked up and over Gustavsson at the crease, made it 2-0 at 3:29.
The Wild scored a quick-strike goal late in the first when Johansson one-timed a pass from Zeem Buium to cap a tick-tac-tie rush and make it 3-1 at 15:39, but the Wild never really controlled play until concurrent roughing penalties reduced each team to four skaters with just over six minutes to go in the second period.
Johansson got free at the crease and Ian Cole was called for hooking, giving the Wild a 4-on-3 advantage. Vincent Hinostroza skated the puck into the zone on a breakout and found Johansson in the right circle, whence he scored on a shot that got behind Vejmelka to make it 3-2 at 15:43.
It was Minnesota’s 10th goal with a man advantage this season, same as their even-strength goals, although they failed to scored 6-on-4 in the closing minutes. Instead, John Marino scored an empty-netter to make it 6-2.
Minnesota Wild left wing Marcus Johansson celebrates scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Mammoth, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Bailey Hillesheim)
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