Mammoth reveal why JJ Peterka was benched during pivotal playoff game vs. Golden Knights

Mammoth reveal why JJ Peterka was benched during pivotal playoff game vs. Golden Knights originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Utah Mammoth were dealt a super painful loss on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Their cause down the stretch and into overtime wasn't helped by JJ Peterka -- he had been benched. 

On Tuesday, Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny confirmed that it was indeed a coaching decision.

“I had a discussion with JJ, and that discussion will stay inside our room," Tourigny told reporters.

The implication from Tuesday's media appearance was that Peterka had been benched for his play.

The numbers don't totally bear that out, though:

Statistically, JJ played better than Stenlund, Tanev, Kerfoot, Cooley, Yams, and O'Brien. Bad call from Bear. It could be what lost Mammoth the game. pic.twitter.com/KeJk6HEaiW— Colemeb (@coIemeb) April 28, 2026

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One notable stat about how dramatic the benching was: Peterka was the only player on either team who didn't get into the game during OT.

Peterka was the only player on either team not to play in OT last night. https://t.co/MqTHOWSCAX— Mike Gould (@miketgould) April 28, 2026

The series is now tied 2-2, and the Mammoth will likely need Peterka back on the ice to get past Vegas.

It'll be fascinating to see how Peterka responds to this adversity, and whether the Mammoth recognize his value or continue to shift the lineup in this direction.

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