Mavericks Stunned by Sundogs, Lose 6-3

The Missouri Mavericks (13-10-2) gave up five third-period goals Tuesday night and were defeated by the Arizona Sundogs, 6-3, at Independence Events Center.  John-Scott Dickson scored for the Mavericks and he now leads the team with 11 goals on the season.  Goaltender Mike Clemente stopped 41 of 45 shots for the Mavericks as the team gave up two empty net goals.  Jake Hauswirth and Derek Leblanc each had a pair of goals for the Sundogs, and goaltender David Brown stopped 33 of 36 shots.  The Mavericks have now lost two straight games after winning a franchise record seven straight.

The Mavericks got on the board first when Evan Vossen tipped a shot by Dave Pszenyczny that snuck past Sundogs’ goaltender David Brown.  The Mavericks took a 2-0 lead when Brandon Smith scored his fifth goal of the season on a pass by Kyle Hood. Mavericks’ forward Kenton Miller also assisted on the play extending his point streak to six games.  Arizona cut the lead to 2-1 just before the half when Jason Morgan beat Clemente with 33.9 seconds remaining in the period.

The teams exchanged power play opportunities early in the second period but neither team was able to convert.  Dickson regained the Mavericks’ two-goal lead when he lifted a wrist shot over Brown on a breakaway.  It marked Dickson’s team-leading 11th goal of the season, and it was also the only goal of the second period.

It was all Sundogs in the third period as they scored five goals and outshot the Mavericks 18-6.  Hauswirth scored at the 5:46 mark to cut the Mavs’ lead to 3-2.  Then Leblanc and Matt Tassone scored goals just 15 seconds apart to stun the Mavericks as Arizona took a 4-3 lead.  Arizona scored a pair of shorthanded empty-net goals in the final minute as the Mavericks were trying to score the equalizer.

The five-goal third period marked the most goals allowed in a period by the Mavericks this season.  Both teams finished without power play goals in two chances apiece.

Missouri will host the Allen Americans on Friday, Dec. 21 at Independence Events Center at 7:05 p.m.  The first 1,000 fans at the game will receive a fleece blanket courtesy of American Family Insurance.  Tickets on are sale via Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or by heading to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office.  Parking is always free at Independence Events Center. For more information on the Missouri Mavericks visit www.MissouriMavericks.com.