Kansas City Mavericks off to a 2-0 start, with a big coaching milestone in reach

For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Mavericks are off to a 2-0-0 start after picking up a pair of wins against Wichita over the weekend.

Friday night’s season opener at Wichita was a high-scoring affair, with the Thunder scoring less than five minutes into the game. The Mavericks were quick to answer with Cole Coskey, back for his second year in Kansas City, putting the Mavericks on the board for the first time in the club’s 15th season.

Wichita scored right before the first-period buzzer to send the teams to intermission with the Thunder leading 2-1.

It was all Mavericks from that point.

It was Coskey again, nabbing his second goal early in the second period, followed by another returning player, Theo Calvas, back for his fourth season in KC.

The third period is where Kansas City put the game away. After signing with Kansas City days after his college career at Minnesota State-Mankato ended last season, Cade Borchardt joined the fun and added two third-period goals of his own. Sandwiched in between Borchardt’s scoring was a rookie from Cornell, Max Andreev, scoring his first professional goal.

Kyle Jackson recorded assists on both of Coskey’s goals and Borchardt’s second; he scored three points in his professional debut.

Kansas City left Wichita with a resounding 6-3 victory.

The two teams faced off again the following night at Cable Dahmer Arena for the Mavericks’ “Home Opener Barn Party,” celebrating the team’s 15th season. Once again, KC came out on top.

Newly acquired forward Nolan Walker, in his home debut, started the scoring late in the second period, as Kansas City went into the second intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Jackson added his first professional goal early in the third period.

Wichita answered back seconds later, but it was another Mavericks rookie adding to the scoring — Ty Enns with his first professional goal to give the Mavericks a 3-1 lead.

The Thunder scored a late goal to bring them to within one, but with the clock ticking down, it was Walker again who added an empty-net goal to seal the 4-2 win.

Milestone approaching

After picking up two victories to open the season, Mavericks general manager and coach Tad O’Had sits at 99 career victories in his coaching career. O’Had is the second-winningest head coach during the Mavericks’ time in the ECHL.

Theme days ahead

Next week, the Mavericks are hosting a special Halloween game with more than 20 local vendors and partners passing out candy for trick-or-treaters inside the concourse at Cable Dahmer Arena. There will also be a costume contest for fans.

Events later in the season include: Kids Day Game, Star Wars Night, Military Appreciation and New Year’s Eve Game, among others.

Up next: It’s a quick turnaround, as the Mavericks are back at Cable Dahmer Arena on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. to face the Rapid City Rush. Tickets are available at kcmavericks.com or via the Mavericks’ ticket office at 816-252-7825.