Mavericks Lose Game Three on Power Play Goal In Overtime, 3-2

The Allen Americans defeated the Missouri Mavericks, 3-2, in overtime on a five-on-three goal by Trevor Hendrikx in Game Three of the Central Hockey League Semifinals at Independence Events Center Wednesday night.  Allen now has a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.  Americans’ goaltender Aaron Dell stopped 38 of 40 shots in the win while Mike Clemente had 31 saves on 34 shots for Missouri.  Hendrikx five-on-three power play goal in overtime was the first power play goal allowed by the Mavericks in the series.  Allen is now 1-for-15 on the power play.  Missouri finished 1-for-5 with the man advantage.  Eric Meland and John-Scott Dickson each scored a goal for the Mavericks who lost their second straight game.

No penalties were called and no goals were scored in the opening frame.  Each team had nine shots on net, but both the goalies kept the game scoreless.

Allen was awarded the first power play chance of the game after Evan Vossen was whistled for elbowing at the 2:10 mark of the second period.  The Americans’ ensuing power play was cut short as the Americans took a handling the puck penalty to Todd Robinson.  Americans’ forward Jason Deitsch unlocked the scoreless tie at the 9:39 mark of the middle frame when his wrister from the left circle beat Mavericks’ goaltender Mike Clemente.

Missouri earned a big opportunity to tie the game late in the second period when Allen was called for a pair of penalties giving the Mavericks a five-on-three power play for 63 seconds.  Allen was able to kill both penalties although the Mavericks had a couple of chances that just missed.  Through two periods Allen had a 1-0 lead, but Missouri had the edge in shots at 24-19.

The Mavericks came back in the third period and scored a pair of goals to take a 2-1 lead.  First, Eric Meland scored on a blast from the point for the Mavericks’ lone power play goal of the game. He was assisted by Kellan Tochkin and Sebastien Thinel.  The Mavericks then took the lead at the 9:27 mark on John-Scott Dickson’s first goal of the playoffs, a two-on-one goal with Colt King.

Allen tied the game late in the third period when Trevor Ludwig scored on a rebound with 2:20 remaining in regulation.  Ludwig was assisted by Robinson and the goal forced sudden-death overtime.

Missouri was penalized four times in the overtime including a match penalty to Sebastien Thinel.  Those four penalties awarded the Americans two five-on-three power play chances.  The Mavericks killed the first two penalties, but couldn’t overcome Allen’s second five-on-three.  Trevor Hendrikx scored with one second remaining in the five-on-three and the Americans took a 2-1 series lead.

The teams will stay in Independence for Games Four and Five of the CHL Semifinals on Fri., April 19 and Sat., April 20. The Mavericks encourage all fans to wear orange for all playoff games.