MAVS OVERPOWER OILERS, 3-2

The Missouri Mavericks inched closer towards a postseason berth with a 3-2 victory over the Tulsa Oilers Saturday night at Independence Events Center. Kris Hogg notched three points on a goal and two assists and Charlie Effinger stopped 46 of 48 shots by the Oilers in the winning effort. The Mavs power play produced two goals on four power play opportunities. The Mavs maintain their four-point lead over the Quad City Mallards in the standings with just five games to play in the regular season, with a game-at-hand over the Mallards.

Tristin Llewellyn got the scoring started for Missouri eight minutes into regulation with a slap shot from the top of the left circle through the legs of Tulsa goaltender Steve Christie. Brandon Smith and Kris Hogg assisted on the goal. Andrew Courtney scored on the power play four minutes later, doubling the Mavs lead to 2-0. Hogg collected his second assist of the game on the goal. Sebastien Thinel picked up a point on the goal with the secondary assist. Tulsa carved the Mavs’ lead in half at the 14:28 mark of the period, when David Solway scored on a loose rebound in the slot. The Mavs outshot Tulsa 17-9 in the period.

Kris Hogg collected his third point of the game on a power play goal halfway through the second period. Andrew Courtney and Ed McGrane assisted on the goal. Hogg’s goal stood up as the lone goal in the period and the Mavs took a 3-1 lead into the third period.

Tulsa cut their deficit to just one goal with three minutes remaining in the period on a goal from Mike Ullrich. Charlie Effinger stood strong in net in the final three minutes though, securing the 3-2 victory for the Mavericks.

Effinger finished the night with 46 saves on 48 shots by the Oilers and the Mavericks power play produced two goals on four opportunities.

The Mavericks now travel to Oklahoma to face the Oilers at the BOK Center. With tonight’s win, the Mavericks maintain their four-point lead over the Quad City Mallards for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Turner Conference with just five games remaining for the Mavs on their regular season schedule and hold a game-at-hand over the Mallards.

Single game playoff tickets go on sale on Monday at 10am. All playoff tickets will be refunded in the event the Mavericks do not qualify for postseason play.