Logan Cooley Scores Late as Utah Mammoth Beat Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 to Even Playoff Series

Logan Cooley scored the game-winning goal off a rebound with six minutes remaining in regulation to lift the Utah Mammoth to a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The win evened the best-of-seven series at one game apiece, sending the teams back to Salt Lake City for Game 3.

Cooley, a 21-year-old center from Pittsburgh, celebrated the goal with defenseman Mikhail Sergachev after the play unfolded off a defensive zone faceoff. The Mammoth struck quickly on the transition, with Dylan Guenther initiating the rush that led to the scoring chance. Cooley buried the rebound past Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill to give Utah its first playoff win since relocating from Arizona two years prior.

The victory marked the Golden Knights’ first regulation loss under head coach John Tortorella, who had entered the game with an 8-1-1 record. Tortorella acknowledged Utah’s speed as a deciding factor, noting his team lost flow in the second period despite a strong start to the third.

Cooley’s goal came after a physical and tightly contested effort in which both teams traded chances. Vegas forward Mark Stone scored his 38th career playoff goal — a franchise record — during the second period, but the Mammoth answered in the third to seize control. Brandon Tanev was involved in an early altercation with Golden Knights defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who was seen punching the Mammoth wing during the first period.

Reflecting on the win, Cooley emphasized the team’s focus and preparation.

“It’s a big goal in a big moment and it’s nice to get the series tied up heading back home,” Cooley said in the postgame news conference.

Mammoth head coach André Tourigny praised Cooley’s consistency and leadership.

“We know how competitive, how good he is. So for us, it’s to stay in the moment. I think Cools has been really good for us since he’s with us for three years now. Right now, his head is at the right place. He’s in the moment. I think everybody in our room right now is. Their focus is in the right place and we need to retain it that way.”

With the series now tied 1-1, Game 3 is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. The Mammoth will look to build on their speed advantage and continue receiving strong performances from their young core, led by Cooley and Guenther, who have emerged as key playoff contributors despite Cooney missing 28 games during the regular season due to a lower-body injury.

Cooley finished the regular season with 24 goals and 43 points in 54 games, closing strong with seven goals and 13 points in his final 10 contests before the playoffs. His Game 2 goal made him the youngest U.S.-born player to score in each of his first two NHL playoff games.