KC Mavericks find solution for playoff schedule conflicts — if they reach Round 3

Thanks to a newly struck agreement, the Kansas City Mavericks would play all of their third-round home games in the ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs on the main ice at Cable Dahmer Arena.

But the Mavericks are currently about to begin Round 2 against the Allen Americans, and scheduling conflicts could cause them to play some of their best-of-seven series games on an alternate sheet of ice — with no fans present — if those games are needed.

KC’s pro hockey team faces the prospect of playing one or perhaps two potential late-series games against Allen on the Independence Community Ice sheet, which has no room for spectators. Previously scheduled high school graduation ceremonies at Cable Dahmer Arena were booked in advance.

Why hasn’t this been an issue in the past? After all, the Mavericks are ECHL postseason regulars and this is the first time such conflicts have arisen. It’s because this particular season was delayed by a Professional Hockey Players Association strike: That ended in December, but not before throwing the league’s schedule off-track.

The Mavericks and Americans open their Round 2 series, the Mountain Division Finals, on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena. Game 2 is Sunday at 4:05 p.m., also at the arena. The next three games (including a potential Game 5) will be played at the Americans’ home arena, the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas.

But if the series comes down to the wire, the final two games of the Mountain Division Finals would come to Kansas City. And those are the two showdowns that would be played in an arena without fans. The series’ winner advances to the Western Conference Finals.

The Mavericks have been the ECHL’s best team in the regular season and have put up record-breaking attendance numbers over the past few seasons. They won the Brabham Cup this year as the team with the ECHL’s best regular-season record and led the league with 55 wins and 115 points. It’s the second time in three years they’ve gotten to hoist that trophy.

With the arrangement reached this week between the Mavericks, the City of Independence and the Oak View Group (the management company that operates the arena), the Mavericks would be able to host the Western Conference Finals games at Cable Dahmer Arena if they advance.

“This was important to get right,” Mavericks COO James Arkell said in a team news release about the Round 3 agreement. “Our fans have been incredible all season, and making sure we could continue playing in front of them at Cable Dahmer Arena was a priority. We appreciate the City and Oak View Group for working with us to find a solution.”

The Mavericks, who are affiliated with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, recently signed a contract extension to remain at Cable Dahmer Arena for the next three seasons.

Said Independence assistant city manager Charlie Dissell: “We understand how much Mavericks hockey means to our community, especially during such a season like this. There were some real scheduling conflicts to work through, but this is what collaboration looks like. We’re excited to welcome fans back for the next round as the Mavericks advance.”

So the plans are in place, but advancing is no sure thing, of course. Allen led the league in scoring at 3.72 goals per game while KC ranked third at 3.54. The Mavericks swept the Tahoe Knight Monsters in four games in Round 1 and are in the Mountain Division Finals for the third straight year.

Allen advanced by defeating Idaho in five games. The Mavericks had a 4-1-2 record against the Americans this season.

KC is trying to reach the Kelly Cup Finals for the second time in three seasons. The last ECHL team to win the Brabham Cup and league trophy in the same season was the Alaska Aces in 2013-14.

Here’s the schedule for the Mavericks-Americans series that begins on Saturday:

ECHL Mountain Division Finals: KC Mavericks vs. Allen Americans

Best-of-seven format; winner is first to four victories

Game 1: Saturday, May 9 at 7:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena

Game 2: Sunday, May 10 at 4:05 p.m. at Cable Dahmer Arena

Game 3: Wednesday, May 13 at 7:10 p.m. at Allen

Game 4: Saturday, May 16 at 7:10 p.m. at Allen

Game 5: Sunday, May 17 at 2:10 p.m. at Allen (if necessary)

Game 6: Tuesday, May 19 at 7:10 p.m. on Community Ice (if necessary)

Game 7: Wednesday, May 20 at 7:10 p.m. on Community Ice (if necessary)