MORNING SKATE NOTES
- Utah held a full morning skate ahead of the team’s first playoff game. All expected players were in attendance including defenseman Sean Durzi and forward Barrett Hayton. Hayton was in a regular jersey during practice.
- Sunday night is the team’s first Stanley Cup playoff game in franchise history.
- Head coach André Tourigny said there are some game-time decisions tonight.
Starting Off the Series
It’s an exciting day and one the Mammoth have worked hard to get to, the first day of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"It's awesome,” center Logan Cooley said. “There's a ton of energy, a ton of excitement. That's what we've been working for all season, to be in this position and you know the real work is just getting started. The excitement in the room, we're all excited to get going and I expect a great game from us tonight."
"We work hard to be here and it's time to enjoy it and put our best foot forward,” Tourigny shared. “…It's exciting for our franchise, for our fans, for our players, for our front office, for everybody. We're proud of that. At the same time, puck drop's at 7:22, something like that, we'll be there."
From the level of intensity to less time and space, every part of the game is heightened in the post season. As Utah looks to have a strong start in the First Round, staying present will be key.
"Stay present for the moment,” veteran defenseman Ian Cole explained. “It will be hectic; it will be chaotic out there especially to start. We have to understand that and kind of accept that and play right through it. It's not going to be perfect, it's going to be chaotic probably the best way to describe it, especially here with how loud this place is. It will be a fun atmosphere but one I think we are going to embrace it."
Need for Speed
Using their speed has been a key part of Utah’s blueprint all season long. Continuing to play to the Mammoth’s identity will be key, and potentially give Utah more time and space in a tight game.
“We have a lot of good players in this room that can make a lot of plays under pressure and in different and tight situations,” Cooley shared. “I think the way we think the game; it’s a tough level to match when we’re playing our game.”
“I think that’s who we are,” Tourigny said of the team’s speed. “We are a team who plays fast, we execute quick, and use our speed to our advantage offensively and defensively. You arrive at this stage of the season here, surely (you) don’t try to be somebody else or something that’s not your strength, so that’s what we want to do.”
