Mackie Samoskevich scored a decisive late goal to lead the Seattle Kraken to a 5-3 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night, October 22, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. The win, which extended Seattle's strong start to the season, followed a momentum-shifting third period where Utah erased a two-goal deficit before the Kraken regained control.
Kraken Resilience Overcomes Utah Surge
The Kraken secured their seventh win of the season through a combination of power play efficiency and late-game resilience. Seattle's special teams provided an early advantage, converting twice on four power-play opportunities with goals from Matty Beniers and Brandon Montour. While Utah's power play proved equally dangerous—scoring twice on three opportunities—Seattle's ability to respond to the Mammoth's surge ultimately decided the contest.
Samoskevich's game-winning goal came at 14:35 of the final frame, following a sequence where Bobby McMann recognized Samoskevich in the developing play. The goal restored the Kraken's lead and prevented the Mammoth from capitalizing on their momentum. Samoskevich later credited the play to McMann, noting that the puck was bouncing unpredictably before the perfect pass arrived.
Cooley Leads Mammoth Comeback Attempt
The Utah Mammoth mounted a significant third-period push to tie the game, driven by Logan Cooley's offensive production. Cooley scored twice, including a tip-in at the start of the third period and a point shot 7:42 into the final frame that leveled the score at 3-3. The Mammoth's power play was a bright spot in the loss, with both units contributing goals.
Despite the offensive effort, Utah struggled with puck management and defensive transitions. Head coach André Tourigny noted that while the team showed great speed and pace offensively, they struggled when trying to force plays through Seattle's defensive core. The Mammoth finished the game outshooting Seattle 36-3, a significant margin that highlighted their offensive pressure despite the loss.
Goaltending and Momentum Shifts
Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer played a vital role in the victory, making 33 saves on 36 shots. His performance was essential in weathering the Mammoth's 14 shots in the second and third periods. In contrast, Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka stopped 18 of the 22 shots he faced during the contest.
The game was also marked by a successful coach's challenge that overturned an apparent Utah goal, a moment that Kraken officials noted helped reinforce the team's belief during a difficult stretch of the game. The Mammoth's loss moves their season record to 7-4-0, while Seattle remains strong in the Pacific Division with a 7-3-1 record.
Lineup Changes and Milestones
The Mammoth's offensive performance was bolstered by lineup changes made during the game. Coach Tourigny utilized a new line featuring Logan Cooley, Nick Schmaltz, and Lawson Crouse, which contributed to the team's third-period scoring. Additionally, Vincent Trocheck contributed Utah's first goal of the game in the first period off a feed from Kailer Yamamoto.
Defensively, Utah's Nick DeSimone played his 100th career NHL game during the match, with 62 of those games having been played with the Mammoth. The Mammoth will look to bounce back when they host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night, October 25, 2026.
Managing the Lead Challenge
For the Kraken, the win highlights a recurring theme of resilience, though it also exposes ongoing defensive struggles. This game marked the third time in roughly 10 days that Seattle carried a multi-goal lead into the third period only to see that lead disappear before eventually recovering. Player Matty Beniers emphasized the need for the team to improve how they manage and protect leads to avoid these high-pressure situations.
Seattle head coach Lane Lambert expressed encouragement regarding the team's offensive response to Utah's surge, noting it was an improvement over their previous game against Detroit. However, Lambert acknowledged that managing leads is an ongoing process that requires more experience and time.
Looking Ahead
The Mammoth's performance showcased a highly effective power play, which currently ranks first in the NHL with a 38.5% conversion rate. However, the team continues to face challenges in controlling the middle of the ice and preventing rapid counterattacks from opponents. Utah's next scheduled matchup is against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Season Outlook
As the season progresses, the Mammoth will continue their efforts to refine their puck management and defensive transitions. The team remains in a strong position in the Central Division with a 7-4-0 record, seeking to build on the offensive momentum seen in their recent scoring surges.
