Logan Cooley scored a dramatic game-tying goal with one second remaining in regulation to complete his fourth career hat trick, leading the Utah Mammoth to a 4-3 overtime victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Alternate captain Mikhail Sergachev secured the win with a goal three minutes and 27 seconds into the overtime period at PPG Paints Arena, completing a season sweep of the Penguins for Utah.
Cooley's Hometown Hat Trick
Cooley, a Pittsburgh native who grew up in the Penguins' Little Penguins Learn to Play Hockey program, tied the game 3-3 by batting a puck out of the air with his backhand just before the clock expired. The goal occurred only 24 seconds after Pittsburgh's Ben Kindel had scored to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead at 19:35 of the third period. The late-game heroics marked the 10th time in NHL history that teams traded a go-ahead goal and a game-tying goal within the final 30 seconds of regulation, and the first instance of this since April 7, 2015.
Emotional Victory for Cooley
Cooley's performance included an unassisted goal at 4:40 of the first period and a second goal at 14:11 of the same period. His third goal, the hat trick completion, was his seventh goal of the season. Following the game, Cooley noted the significance of scoring in his hometown, stating, "This city means so much to me," and mentioned that he had grown up watching players like Sidney Crosby. He added that he was fortunate to be able to lean on the legacy of the Penguins organization while growing up in the city.
Coaching Reaction
Mammoth head coach André Tourigny commented on Cooley's impact, noting that while his goals were vital, his mindset and work ethic were equally important. Tourigny remarked that Cooley's decisions with the puck and his effort were excellent. Cooley's performance brought the Mammoth's record to 9-5-0, as the team began a six-game road trip following the win.
Goaltending and Defense
The victory was bolstered by a strong performance from goaltender Sebastian Cossa, who made 31 saves on 34 shots. Cossa, playing his fifth game of the season, had stopped the first 15 shots he faced before Pittsburgh's Erik Karlsson scored eight and a half minutes into the second period. Cooley praised the goaltender, stating that Cossa is highly competitive and will be an "unbelievable goalie in this league for a long time."
NHL Debut for Duda
Defenseman Artem Duda made his NHL debut during the contest, recording four shots on goal and one block in 15:17 of ice time. Both Sergachev and Tourigny praised Duda's performance, with Sergachev noting that the rookie appeared poised and assertive while skating into the offensive zone. Tourigny added that Duda did not hesitate in his debut and showed significant confidence.
Milestones and Medical Returns
The game also featured milestone moments for other players. Utah defenseman Andrew Peeke participated in his 400th career NHL game, recording one shot, one block, and two hits. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's Ben Kindel scored his goal shortly after returning to play following a medical scare involving vasovagal syncope, a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure, which occurred after the team departed Salt Lake City International Airport on October 20, 2026.
Looking Ahead
The Penguins, who fell to a 5-6-2 record, saw goals from Erik Karlsson and Rickard Rakell, while Evgeni Malkin recorded two assists. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang noted that while the team battled to regain the lead, the overall performance was not sufficient. The Mammoth will next face the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
