Friday night victory sends Kansas City Mavericks hockey team back to ECHL playoffs
The Kansas City Mavericks will be making their first playoff appearance since the 2018-19 season thanks to their 5-2 Friday night victory against the Cincinnati Cyclones at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.
The ECHL’s Kelly Cup Playoffs will begin this coming week. The Mavericks will open with a best-of-seven series against the Texas-based Allen Americans. The league’s final playoff seeding was determined Saturday night.
Rookies led the way for the Mavericks on Friday as they jumped to a 4-1 lead in the second period. Scoring his first professional goal was defenseman Elias Rosen, assisted by rookie Cade Borchardt and defenseman Tommy Muck.
After Cincinnati tied the game, Borchardt made one of the Mavericks’ most impressive goals of the season. Stealing the puck in the Kansas City offensive zone, he skated past a Cyclones defenseman and buried it in the back of the net.
Rookie A.J. Vanderbeck’s fourth goal in three games was the eventual game-winner, and Rosen scored again to provide some insurance.
Tommy Muck added the Mavs’ fifth goal late in the third period. With an assist and that goal, Muck moved into fifth place in franchise history in points scored by defensemen.
Mavericks goaltender Shane Starrett has allowed just two goals in his last four contests. Starrett was in net for the 53rd time this season Friday, the most appearances in a single season by a goaltender in franchise history.
PLAYOFF TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Tickets for the first round of the 2023 Kelly Cup Playoffs are on sale now. Call the Mavericks ticket office at 816-252-7825.
Here is the Mavs’ playoff schedule for the first-round series against Allen (all games at 7 :05 p.m.):
Game 1: Wednesday, April 19 at Cable Dahmer Arena
Game 2: Thursday, April 20 at Cable Dahmer Arena
Game 3: Monday, April 24 at Cable Dahmer Arena
Game 4: Friday, April 28 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center
Game 5*:Saturday, April 29 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center
Game 6*: Monday, May 1 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center
Game 7*: Wednesday, May 3 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center
*if necessary
This story was originally published April 15, 2023 at 12:06 PM.