Sebastian Cossa, the Utah Mammoth’s prized offseason goalie acquisition, got pulled from a game in Boston just five days after what everyone thought was his perfect first NHL start. Talk about a gut punch after looking so steady in his debut, right? This 23-year-old rookie’s early season has been a total rollercoaster, and the league is definitely watching.
From Flawless Debut to Early Exit
It started like a dream on October 3. Cossa was stellar against the Columbus Blue Jackets, stopping 18 of 19 shots in a 4-1 win. He looked like a veteran, cool and collected, and you wouldn’t have guessed it was his first full NHL game. Mammoth fans were buzzing, thinking they had a future star between the pipes.
But then came the reality check. Five days later, in Boston, Cossa’s night lasted less than 16 minutes. He gave up three goals on just eight shots, and the coach had to make a change. The Mammoth ultimately lost that game 6-1. It was a brutal turnaround, going from hero to benched in less than a week. Every goalie knows those nights, but for a rookie, it can feel like the sky is falling.
Resetting The Mindset
After that Boston game, Cossa told the Deseret News on Monday, “Obviously, not the way we wanted (it to go). Frustrated that night, (but) the next day is a new day. Just right back to work.” You gotta respect that mental toughness. He’s been through it before, spending four seasons in minor-league pro hockey, learning how to put the bad ones behind him. He knows that in the NHL, there’s just so much hockey that you have to reset constantly. That experience, getting past the ups and downs, is crucial.
Cossa is confident he can bounce back. “I feel like throughout my career, I’ve done a really good job of bouncing back and (I) expect nothing less,” he stated. “The next game I get, (I’ll) go in with a good mindset and just play my game.” That’s the attitude you need when the spotlight is this bright and the stakes are this high for a new starter.
The Real First Win and What’s Next
Here’s the kicker, though: that Columbus game? It wasn’t actually his first NHL win. Back in December 2024, Cossa played 45 minutes plus a shootout for the Detroit Red Wings, coming in for teammate Ville Husso. The Red Wings ended up winning in a shootout, meaning Cossa technically earned his first NHL win then. Talk about a delayed celebration! His family couldn’t even make it to Columbus for what was thought to be his first start, being a five-hour trek from Fort McMurray, Alberta.
The Mammoth are playing in Edmonton on Thursday, and everyone’s wondering if Cossa gets the nod to get back in there. Whether it’s then or later, Cossa is staying ready. “Good things are going to come,” he says. “Just stick with it.” We’ll be watching to see how this young goalie writes the next chapter of his wild NHL ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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