Younger players, steady goalkeeping pave way to pair of victories by KC Mavericks
With just two games before the holiday break, the Kansas City Mavericks made the most of their most recent week.
Leading goal-scorer Jeremy McKenna was the catalyst last Wednesday against the Iowa Heartlanders at Cable Dahmer Arena: With less than five minutes remaining in the first period, McKenna found the back of the net for his 13th goal of the season.
After a scoreless second period by both teams, Kansas City took a 1-0 lead into the final frame. And McKenna added to the Mavericks’ score line in the third period.
Forward Pascal Laberge assisted on both of McKenna’s goals and now has a team-leading 15 assists this season. The two-goal performance was McKenna’s third multi-goal game of the season.
Kansas City held on for the 2-1 victory. Goaltender Shane Starrett nearly had the shutout, stopping 16 of 17 shots.
Following his strong performance Wednesday, McKenna was called up to the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Mavericks’ AHL affiliate.
And Starrett on Tuesday was named the ECHL Goalkeeper of the Week.
Kansas City’s annual Ugly Sweater Game was last Friday at Cable Dahmer Arena. Mavericks players donned festive “ugly sweater”-themed jerseys for the second matchup with Iowa.
In addition to McKenna’s AHL call-up, the Mavericks had a long injury list heading into Friday night’s game. Kansas City entered the contest without four of its top six scorers. The Mavericks were looking for consecutive wins with the help of younger players.
Following a scoreless first period, rookie Luke Morgan put the Mavericks on the scoreboard first. Two minutes later, Morgan tallied another goal for his first career multi-goal game.
Morgan’s second and third goals of the season were all the Mavs needed that night. After Iowa scored late in the third period, the Mavericks tacked on two empty-net goals to win 4-1.
Starrett, the Mavericks’ goaltender, had another big night. He made 31 saves and was a major part of KC’s back-to-back victories.
Notable
Through 24 games this season, the Mavericks have allowed the second-fewest first-period goals (16) in the ECHL.
After his strong showing with just two goals allowed in two games this past week, Starrett ranks No. 2 in the ECHL with a 2.62 goals against average (GAA) among goaltenders with at least 15 games played.
Next up
The Mavericks return from a quick holiday break with a game at Indy on Wednesday and home games against Iowa Friday and Saturday.
Saturday night is the Mavericks Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Game. The game will be a “white-out,” with 5,000 white rally towels given out to fans at the door. There will also be a postgame skate with Mavericks players on the ice. Visit kcmavericks.com, or call or text 816-252-7825, for tickets.
This story was originally published December 27, 2022 at 10:11 AM.