MORNING SKATE NOTES
- Utah held a full morning skate on Tuesday. The players in the lineup remain the same however there were some line changes.
- The Mammoth are energized and excited for this five-game road trip and reasserting their own game.
Finding a Spark
The Mammoth changed their lines Tuesday morning and it’s an opportunity to spark the team’s offense. Dylan Guenther joins the top line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz. Lawson Crouse and JJ Peterka joined Logan Cooley’s line and Jack McBain will play with Barrett Hayton and Kailer Yamamoto. Captain Clayton Keller discussed his new linemate following morning skate.
“Obviously you guys know what I think about him as a player,” Keller shared on Guenther. “All the great things that he does. I think it’ll be good to hopefully get some chemistry early on. Sometimes (chemistry) takes some time but we’ve played together prior and he’s a smart hockey player. He finds the scoring areas and he’s someone that I’ll definitely be looking for.”
For head coach André Tourigny, these changes can provide a spark and give players a new opportunity with different linemates.
“Try to mix it a little bit and create a little spark,” Tourigny explained. “(Guenther) has success before with (Keller and Schmaltz). Everybody who’s played with (Lawson Crouse) so far, knock on wood, did good. Try to get other guys going a little.”
Back on the Road
Utah is back on the road and determined to pick up key points in a tight playoff race. The Mammoth are excited for their opportunity and ready to bounce back from Sunday’s loss.
“Super important trip,” Keller explained. “We have to come out of this road trip on top, in a better position than we are right now, so I’m excited for it. It’s lots of important games. It’s good to be on the road sometimes through these tough stretches, being with the guys, spending lots of time together on the bus, dinner, playing cards, we hang out a lot. So, I think it’s great to bring our group a little closer.
There are highs and lows throughout a season and something the Mammoth have done to bounce back is stay present.
“I think we do a real good effort of staying in the present and staying focused on what we have to do,” Tourigny shared. “Obviously the urgency of the situation as well … it’s important for us to move on and be ready.”
