KC Mavericks enjoy strong final week before All-Star break, return to action Saturday
The Kansas City Mavericks had one of their best weeks of the season, going 2-0-1 behind some incredible individual performances.
On Friday versus Iowa, the Mavericks surrendered an early goal but answered back three minutes later with a goal by one of their longest-tenured skaters, Loren Ulett.
Going into the second period, Kansas City scored first with the 13th goal of the season from Tristan Mullin. After the Heartlanders tied it, Luke Stevens scored to put KC ahead for good.
Late in the third period, Iowa pulled its goalie looking to add a spark to its offense. Stevens put the game out of reach with an empty-net goal, assisted by Ryan Harrison for Harrison’s 200th professional point.
The Mavericks were back at it Saturday for Affiliation Night, donning special Seattle Kraken-themed jerseys in tribute to their new NHL affiliate.
Iowa struck first for the second game in a row, but Kansas City responded with back-to-back goals — first from the team’s All-Star, Jeremy McKenna, then minutes later via alternate captain Tommy Muck.
Following the hot start, Iowa and Kansas City alternated the next three goals to force overtime.
After a nearly scoreless overtime and a shootout looming in the distance, it was Muck again who scored the game-winner with less than a minute remaining to give the Mavericks the lead in front of more than 4,500 fans at Cable Dahmer Arena. The win gave Kansas City its first three-game winning streak of the year and its seventh victory over Iowa this season.
The two goals were a career-high for Muck and represented his first three-point game (two goals, one assist).
Monday’s matchup with the Rapid City Rush was another back-and-forth affair. The Mavericks scored two goals early in the first period. Forward Pascal Laberge found the back of the net four minutes in for the 100th point of his pro career, followed at the end of the period by Keeghan Howdeshell’s seventh goal of the season.
Rapid City answered with two goals in the third period, but Mullin gave KC its third goal of the night. Rapid City’s Calder Brooks scored with under five minutes to go in the third period to force overtime and it was the Rush’s Keanu Yamamoto who sent the Mavericks into the All-Star break with one point for the overtime loss.
The Mavericks, at 16-12-5 (37 points), are in fourth place in the ECHL Mountain Division, comfortably in playoff position nearing the halfway point of the season.
MAVERICKS ALL-STAR
McKenna, the Mavericks’ All-Star representative, scored two goals for the Western Conference during Monday night’s All-Star Game in Norfolk, Virginia. McKenna entered the break leading the Mavericks in nearly every offensive category, including goals (18) and assists (19).
NEXT UP
The Mavericks are on a three-day break for the ECHL All-Star Game but will be back in action Saturday evening at Wichita. They return to Cable Dahmer Arena Sunday for a 4:05 p.m. puck-drop against the Allen Americans.
For seats to Mavericks home games, visit kcmavericks.com or call 816-252-7825.