Facing the Blue Jackets
The Mammoth had a strong defensive effort in their first game, and will look to continue that tonight against the Blue Jackets. Columbus scored six goals in their first game of the year, and the Blue Jackets have many offensive threats. Head coach André Tourigny shared more on what Utah is expecting from Columbus tonight.
“The way they involve their defensemen on the rush, the way they involve their defensemen on the forecheck and everything, that represents a challenge,” Tourigny shared. “We need to be ready for that. A ton of respect for what they built here. So, for us, we had a great game (against Chicago). That will be a different challenge tonight. We need to be ready.”
In order to combat the Blue Jackets offensively, defensive details will be key.
“The coverage and the second wave, they create a lot off the rush from their d-activation,” Tourigny explained. “…(We need to) make sure we get above them early … make sure we get on the right side of the puck.”
Utah can bring some of the defensive details they had in their first game into this contest.
“They play an aggressive style, they’re in your face,” defenseman Andrew Peeke shared. “Obviously, they have some offensive firepower from the back end and that’s where a lot of their transition and offense comes from. They’re heavy and they’re a tough test, especially in this building. They come out hot and we have to be ready for that.”
Growing the Chemistry
Peeke is one of the new faces with Utah’s defensive core. However, after training camp, preseason, and the first game of the year, the group continues to grow its chemistry.
“I think we’ve meshed really well,” Peeke shared. “Great group of guys back here. We talk a lot, and figure out systems and everything like that. Worked a lot on our breakouts and little things to help improve us. (Assistant coach Adam Foote) obviously gave us a lot of good tidbits, makes us more successful night in and night out. I think building that chemistry is obviously going to be important for us to keep going here.”
Peeke’s Impact
Peeke has made a strong impression during his first few weeks with the Utah Mammoth. Tourigny described his start with Utah after morning skate.
“He’s really good,” Tourigny said of Peeke. “He played really good for us so far, training camp, and his first game. He’s physical, he’s really focused, really detailed. We like his prep. He’s a good pro. You can see he has maturity. He’s way older than when he played for (Columbus) so you can see his detail in his game, and his prep is really good.”
