Clemente Stops 49 In Mavericks 4-2 Win Over Wichita

Goaltender Mike Clemente made a season-high 49 saves on 51 shots in the Missouri Mavericks 4-2 win over the Wichita Thunder Friday night at Independence Events Center. Missouri (17-11-4) has won three straight games and will have a chance to move into third place in the CHL on Saturday night when the Denver Cutthroats come to Independence Events Center. The Mavericks won their first game against the Thunder this season and ended a seven-game winless streak against Wichita. Four different Mavericks scored goals and forward Ryan Jardine (two assists) was the only player on the Missouri roster with multiple points.

The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead less than three minutes into the game when Jardine made a nice play to keep the puck in the Wichita zone, and he centered a pass to Colt King who put the puck past Wichita netminder Kevin Regan. Mavericks' goaltender Mike Clemente made a handful of big saves through the middle portion of the opening period to keep the Thunder off the scoreboard, and the Mavericks took a 2-0 lead on John-Scott Dickson's 12th goal of the season with 3:48 remaining in the period. Kyle Hood assisted on Dickson's goal and the Mavericks took the two-goal lead into the first intermission.

Missouri was whistled for their first penalty of the game early into the second period on a tripping call to Jardine but the Mavericks were able to kill off the power play. Wichita earned their second straight man-advantage when Trevor Kell was called for high-sticking and the Thunder finally got on the scoreboard when RG Flath banged home a rebound at the 11:29 mark. Flath's marker was the only one of the second period and the Mavericks clung to a 2-1 lead despite giving up a season-high 25 shots on net in the period.

Sebastien Thinel and Kenton Miller each scored goals early in the third period to all but end Wichita's chances at a comeback. First, Thinel scored at the 2:03 mark on assists from Jardine and Kellan Tochkin, and then Miller scored on a nice backhand at 4:09 to give Missouri a three-goal lead. Wichita continued to battle and Matt Summers finalized the scoring at the 7:17 mark of the third.

The Mavericks play game three of a five-game home stand Saturday night when the Denver Cutthroats will make their first trip to Independence Events Center. 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.