Logan Cooley didn’t just score a goal—he announced Utah’s arrival on the playoff stage.

The 20-year-old forward buried the decisive marker midway through the third period, lifting the Utah Mammoth to a 3–2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their Western Conference First Round series Tuesday night at T-Mobile Arena. The victory marked the first postseason win in franchise history and evened the series at one game apiece.

Cooley Delivers Defining Moment Late

Cooley’s breakthrough came at 14:00 of the third, the product of relentless pressure and timing. After Dylan Guenther drove the net and rang a rebound off the post, Cooley crashed the crease and slipped the loose puck past Carter Hart’s right skate, turning a chaotic scramble into a defining moment.

Utah’s approach was evident throughout the night—speed through the middle, pressure on the puck, and a willingness to get dirty in front of the net. That identity paid off in a game where clean looks were scarce and second-effort chances proved decisive.

Guenther delivered a standout performance, recording his first career playoff goal along with an assist. Kailer Yamamoto quietly orchestrated much of the offense with two helpers, while goaltender Karel Vejmelka turned aside 19 shots to secure his first postseason victory.

Utah’s Speed And Depth Tilt The Ice

Vegas, the Pacific Division’s top seed, found production from familiar sources but struggled to maintain control as the game wore on. Mark Stone opened the scoring on the power play late in the first period, benefiting from a fortunate bounce off a defender in front. Ivan Barbashev added a highlight-reel effort in the second, intercepting a pass in the neutral zone, slicing through the defense, and finishing with a slick backhand.