Mavericks Come Up Short In Game 3, Lose 3-1

The Missouri Mavericks lost their first game of the 2012 CHL Playoffs Wednesday night at Independence Events Center by way of a 3-1 defeat against the Fort Wayne Komets. Ed McGrane netted the only goal for the Mavericks in the first period and Charlie Effinger stopped 39 of 41 shots by the Komets. The Mavericks still hold a 2-1 series lead and host the Komets in Game Four Thursday night at the IEC.
Ed McGrane put the Mavs ahead early with a goal at the 4:53 mark of the first period. Sebastien Thinel recorded his 10th point of the postseason with the primary assist on the goal and Andrew Courtney added an assist as well. Jean-Michael Rizk tied the game a minute later though, knocking down a shot from Brett Henley and slapping it past Mavericks goaltender Charlie Effinger. The two teams ended the first period tied at 1-1, with the Mavs outshooting the Komets 14-7.
Both teams went scoreless in the second period, but Charlie Effinger was the difference in the middle frame, stopping all 19 shots by the Komets, setting a postseason high for saves in a period. The Mavericks were only able to mount seven shots on goal in the period and were being outshot 26-24 by Fort Wayne at the end of 40 minutes.
The Komets took the lead five minutes into the third on Rizk’s second goal of the evening and would not relinquish it for the remainder of regulation. Brett Smith added an empty netter with a second remaining in regulation to finalize the score at 3-1.
The Mavericks still hold a 2-1 series advantage and still have a chance to close out the Komets on home ice with Games Four and Five at Independence Events Center Thursday and Saturday night.