KC Mavericks enter holiday break on hot streak. Up next: A busy weekend & NYE game

A quick and dominant week for the Mavericks saw the team enter the brief holiday break on a three-game winning streak.

On Wednesday night, Kansas City played host to Tulsa at Cable Dahmer Arena. As has been the case for most games this year, the Mavericks got off to an early lead. Sixty-eight seconds into the contest, Nolan Walker, who has been on a hot streak for the Mavs, started the scoring. Tulsa tied the game before KC put it away for good.

Off a steal by rookie Cade Borchardt, Luke Santerno found the back of the net for his third goal of the season midway through the second period. Less than a minute later, Walker — who else? — added his second goal of the night to give Kansas City a 3-1 victory.

Goaltender Dillon Kelley stopped 23 of 24 shots faced to pick up his sixth win of the season.

Wednesday’s game was the final test of a big home stand for Kansas City, which played seven games at Cable Dahmer Arena in the span of 14 days. The Mavericks went 4-2-1 in those games, picking up nine points in the standings.

Kansas City and Tulsa met again on Friday night at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the final game before a much-needed holiday break.

The Mavericks’ defense led a victory once again.

Goals from Jacob Hayhurst and the ECHL’s rookie scoring leader, Max Andreev, were all the offense Kansas City needed.

Kelley again only allowed one goal while saving 24 shots, leading Kansas City to a 2-1 win, the team’s 20th of the young season.

Since December 11, Kelley leads all ECHL goaltenders with four victories. In the two-week span, Kelley has a 2.41 goals-allowed average and an .897 save percentage.

The Mavericks sit at 20-7-1 (41 points). Kansas City’s 20 victories mark the second-highest win total in the ECHL this season.

Big test for the Mavericks ahead

A huge game awaits the Mavericks in less than one week.

The team’s annual New Year’s Eve contest is this Sunday at Cable Dahmer Arena. Puck drop against the Wichita Thunder is at 7 p.m., and a large crowd is anticipated. A postgame skate with Mavericks players will follow the game.

Kansas City is 4-1-0 against Wichita this season.

KC Mavericks upcoming schedule

After a brief holiday break, the Mavericks will play three games in three days this weekend.

Kansas City plays at Wichita on Friday and Saturday before hosting the Thunder on New Year’s Eve at Cable Dahmer Arena. Limited tickets are available for the NYE matchup at kcmavericks.com.