Mavericks Season Ends In Game Seven Loss To Allen, 7-3

The Missouri Mavericks were defeated by the Allen Americans, 7-3, Tuesday night in Game Seven of the Central Hockey League (CHL) Semifinals.  For the second straight season, the Mavericks’ season ended in Game 7 and the team was just one win short of reaching the CHL Finals.  Allen jumped out to an early lead in the game and held the lead throughout.  Brian McMillin and Todd Robinson each had two goals in the win for the Americans and goaltender Aaron Dell stopped 29 of the Mavericks’ 32 shots.  The Americans advance to take on the Wichita Thunder in the CHL Finals.  The Mavericks will host a season celebration at Independence Events Center on Thursday, April 26 from 5-8 p.m.

Allen jumped out to a 1-0 lead early into the game when McMillin scored his seventh goal of the playoffs on assists from Jason Deitsch and Jamie Schaafsma at the 1:52 mark.  Missouri rebounded and controlled the play for the second half of the period but were unable to get a puck past Dell in the opening 20 minutes.

A total of five goals were scored in the second period.  Allen made it a 2-0 game on Deitsch’s third goal of the playoffs.  The Mavericks cut the lead in half at the 5:37 mark of the period on a sharp-angled shot by Kellan Tochkin.  He was assisted by Kenton Miller and JP Testwuide, but the Americans regained the two-goal lead on a nice individual effort by Kale Kerbashian.  He shook a Mavericks’ defender and beat goaltender Mike Clemente with a backhand goal to give the Americans a 3-1 lead.  Mavericks’ defenseman Dave Pszenyczny scored his first goal of the playoffs on the power play with two minutes to go in the second period and again the Mavericks cut the lead to one goal, but Allen answered less than one minute later.  At the 18:40 mark, Robinson scored on the power play and the Americans took the 4-2 lead into the final period.

The Mavericks pressured the Americans for a majority of the final period, but a turnover in the Mavericks’ zone which led to Robinson’s second goal of the game made it 5-2 Allen.  Jim McKenzie made it 6-2 when he tipped a shot by Tyler Ludwig past Clemente.  Missouri didn’t give in and Colt King scored to make it 6-3 with an extra attacker with over five minutes to go in the game, but the Americans finally sealed the win with 67 seconds to go on an empty net goal by McMillin.

Allen And Missouri Meet In 27th Game 7 In CHL History

The Bud Poile Governors Cup winning Allen Americans (number one seed) and the Missouri Mavericks (number five seed) will meet tonight in the 27th Game 7 in CHL playoff history. The final game of their Conference Semifinals series will face-off at 7:05 PM (CT) at the Allen Event Center.

This marks the third Game 7 in the Americans history and they are unbeaten with series wins over the Laredo Bucks and the Odessa Jackalopes, both in 2010. The Game 7 victory over Laredo came in the Conference Semifinals on home ice by a 4-1 score and the Game 7 victory over Odessa was in the Conference Finals on the road by a 4-2 score. The Americans proceeded on to the CHL Finals that year falling in six games to the Rapid City Rush, Allen's lone Finals appearance.

For the Mavericks, it marks the second straight postseason that they are one win away from the Finals. Last year, Missouri lost in the only Game 7 in their franchise history in the Conference Finals to the eventual Champs, the Fort Wayne Komets, by a 6-4 score.

The Americans defeated Missouri 8-4 in Game 4 of this series taking a three games to one lead but the Mavericks rebounded to tie Game 5 with just 30 seconds remaining and then win the game staying alive by notching the game winner just 34 seconds into overtime. Andrew Courtney scored both of those goals and then followed that up with a hat trick in Missouri's 6-2 Game 6 win on Monday night in Allen. Courtney has scored five of the last eight Missouri goals.

In series clinching games, the Americans are 5-4 in their history (includes 0-2 this season) and the Mavericks are 4-3. In elimination games, the Americans are 5-3 in their history and the Mavericks are 6-3 (includes 2-0 this season).

The winner of tonight's game will face the Wichita Thunder in the Ray Miron Presidents' Cup Finals.

Game 7 Notes:

There have been 26 previous Game 7's in the 21 year history of the CHL (this is the first Game 7 this year)

Allen is 2-0 all-time (1-0 at home, vs. Laredo, and 1-0 on the road, vs. Odessa)

Missouri is 0-1 all-time (losing on the road last year in Fort Wayne)

The home team is 17-9

The road team has won two of the last three

There have been two shutouts (Colorado 1-0 over Rapid City in 2011 and Indianapolis 3-0 over Columbus in 2000)

There have been five overtime games with the last one being a 2-1 win by Arizona over Corpus Christi in 2007

The home team is 2-3 all-time in Game 7 overtime games

There have been 11 one-goal games with the road team going 6-5 in the close ones

There have been 10 games decided by three goals or more with the home team going 8-2

***stats do not count two all-time WPHL Game 7's (El Paso over Odessa in 2001 by a 5-2 count and El Paso over New Mexico in 1998 by a 5-0 count, both El Paso wins were on home ice)

Conference Semifinals (best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks vs. Allen Americans

Game 1 - Sun., Apr. 14 - Missouri 5 at Allen 1

Game 2 - Mon., Apr. 15 - Missouri 1 at Allen 4

Game 3 - Wed., Apr. 17 - Allen 3 at Missouri 2 (OT)

Game 4 - Fri., Apr. 19 - Allen 8 at Missouri 4

Game 5 - Sat., Apr. 20 - Allen 2 at Missouri 3 (OT)

Game 6 - Mon., Apr. 22 - Missouri 6 at Allen 2

Game 7 - Tue., Apr. 23 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05 PM CT

Americans and Mavericks Tonight in Winner Take All Game Seven

It's come down to this, the Allen Americans and Missouri Mavericks play one game to decide who moves on the Central Hockey League Finals against the Wichita Thunder. Puck drop at Allen Event Center is 7:05 pm.

The Missouri Mavericks have taken the last two games to tie the series at 3-3, with tonight's game for all the marbles. Missouri is led by forward Andrew Courtney, who has five goals in the last two games, and nine for the season.

This the first Game 7 in Allen, since the 2010 playoffs when the Allen Americans eliminated the Laredo Bucks in seven games.

Mavericks Playoffs News & Notes

Conference Semifinals - (best-of-7) - - Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1)

Allen leads series 3-2

Game 1 - Sun., Apr. 14 - Missouri 5 at Allen 1

Game 2 - Mon., Apr. 15 - Missouri 1 at Allen 4

Game 3 - Wed., Apr. 17 - Allen 3 at Missouri 2 (OT) (Americans up 2-1 in series)

Game 4 - Fri., Apr. 19 - Allen 8 at Missouri 4

Game 5 - Sat., Apr. 20 - Allen 2 at Missouri 3 (OT) (Americans up 3-2 in series)

Game 6 - Mon., Apr. 22 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*Game 7 - Tue., Apr. 23 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05

* if necessary

Series Notes:

-The Mavs improved to 5-3 in elimination games in their history after Saturday's Game 5 win. Andrew Courtney scored with 30 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and then scored 34 seconds into overtime to win it for Missouri giving them new life.

-The 12 combined goals scored in Friday's Game 4 (Allen won 8-4) marked the highest combined score in a CHL playoff game since 2010 when Rapid City defeated Missouri 7-6 in overtime of Game 4 sweeping the Mavs in the Conference Semifinals.

-Allen's Brian McMillin has points in eight of the 10 postseason games he has played this year totaling six goals and six assists (third in the CHL in playoff scoring). McMillin has been a plus player in seven of those 10 games and is a +10 overall (second in the CHL).

-Missouri's Colt King has a point in each game in the series with Allen scoring three goals with two assists. Overall, he has eight points in the playoffs (6-2=8).

Mavericks Extend Series with Dramatic Overtime Win, 3-2

The Missouri Mavericks extended their CHL Semifinals series against the Allen Americans with a 3-2 overtime win at Independence Events Center.  Allen now leads the best-of-seven series 3-2.  Mavericks’ forward Andrew Courtney scored the game-tying goal in the final minute of regulation and he notched the game-winning goal in the first minute of overtime.  Goaltender Mike Clemente made 27 saves on 29 shots for his third win of the playoffs.  The series moves back to Allen for Games Six and Seven (if necessary) on Mon., April 22 and Tues., April 23.

For the fourth straight game, the Americans scored the opening goal when Trevor Hendrikx had his second goal of the postseason.  He had just left the penalty box and his shot from the top of the slot beat Clemente.  Missouri kept the pressure on throughout the period and outshot the Americans 14-10 in the opening 20 minutes.

After killing two Allen power plays early in the second period, the Mavericks converted on their second power play of the game and tied the game at one.  Colt King took a pass from John-Scott Dickson and King snapped it through the legs of Allen netminder Aaron Dell.  Less than two minutes later, the Americans regained the lead on Brian McMillin’s sixth goal of the playoffs, and  Allen held on to the 2-1 lead heading into the final period.

The Mavericks pressured the Americans throughout the final period and it took until the final minute of regulation for Missouri to tie the game and extend their season.  Courtney jammed the puck past goaltender Dell and tied the game with 30.9 seconds to go.  Kyle Hood and Ryan Jardine assisted on the play and the game was sent to overtime.

It only took the Mavericks 34 seconds into overtime to send the series back to Allen.  Jardine used his speed to split the Allen defense and he made Dell commit before he passed the puck through the crease to Courtney who sent the puck into the net.  Dave Pszenyczny also assisted on the overtime winner and the Mavericks improved to 2-1 in overtime games this postseason.

Missouri will try again to stave off elimination on Monday night in Allen.  The Mavericks are now 5-3 all-time when facing elimination.

Mavericks Fall Into 3-1 Series Deficit After 8-4 Loss To Americans

The Missouri Mavericks were defeated by the Allen Americans, 8-4, Friday night in Game Four of the Central Hockey League Semifinals at Independence Events Center.  Allen is now one win away from the CHL Finals as they hold a 3-1 series lead over Missouri.  Darryl Bootland led the Americans with two goals and an assist and six different Americans had the remaining goals in the win.  After trailing 3-1 early in the second period, Allen scored seven of the game’s final eight goals.

The Americans took a lead less than one minute into the game when Jamie Schaafsma’s slap shot beat goaltender Mathieu Corbeil.  Tyler Ludwig and Trevor Ludwig earned the assists on the play, but the Mavericks quickly answered and tied the game at the 5:09 mark.  Colt King scored on a two-on-one rush on assists from Ryan Jardine and Andrew Courtney.

A total of six goals were scored in the second period.  Missouri opened with the first two goals of the middle frame, both on the power play.  Kellan Tochkin had a five-on-three goal just 18 seconds into the period, and then John-Scott Dickson redirected a puck past Allen goaltender Aaron Dell to give Missouri a 3-1 lead.

It was all Americans for the remainder of the second period as they scored four straight goals.  Kale Kerbashian scored just 16 seconds after Missouri’s third goal and Bootland tied the game at the 6:24 mark.  Bootland then gave the Americans a 4-3 lead and scored the first of three straight power play goals for the Americans at the 11:38 mark.  Jason Deitsch finalized the scoring when he tapped in a rebound on the power play with 55 seconds to go in the period.

Allen made it a three-goal game at the 5:47 mark of the third period on a five-on-three goal by Tyler Ludwig.  It marked the third straight power play goal for the Americans.  Missouri scored their fourth and final goal of the game at the 13:51 mark of the third on Eric Meland’s second goal of the playoffs.  Allen added two more goals late in the contest including one into an empty net to finalize the scoring at 8-4.

Allen finished 3-for-6 on the power play and Missouri was 2-for-4.

Game Five is Saturday night at Independence Events Center.

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.

Mavericks Fall in Game Two, 4-1; Series Shifts to Independence

The Missouri Mavericks fell to the Allen Americans, 4-1, in Game Two of the CHL Semifinals at Allen Event Center.  The best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1.  Jamie Schaafsma and Tyler Ludwig each had a pair of goals for the Americans, and goaltender Aaron Dell stopped 24 of the Mavericks’ 25 shots.  Missouri defenseman Blake Forsyth scored the lone goal for the Mavericks who will head home for Games 3, 4 and 5 at Independence Events Center.

Tickets for Games 3, 4 and 5 are on sale now via Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000 or by visiting the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office at Independence Events Center.

Schaafsma scored the first of his two goals at the 15:39 mark of the first period when he picked up a turnover along the right wing and beat Mavericks’ goaltender Mathieu Corbeil who finished the game with 29 saves on 32 shots.  Allen had the edge in shots at 11-8 through one period and took the 1-0 lead to the intermission.

Only 3:15 into the second period Schaafsma made it 2-0 when Chris Doyle made a pass to him on a rebound and Schaafsma put it into the open net.  Missouri cut the lead in half on Blake Forsyth’s first goal of the post-season.  After a scrum in front of the net, Forsyth lifted the puck over Dell who was sprawled on the ice.  Neither team was able to convert on any of their power play chances in the second period.

Allen was called for two penalties early in the third period and Missouri had a handful of quality chances, but the Mavericks couldn’t get the puck past Dell.  Tyler Ludwig made it 3-1 halfway through the period on an assist from Jim McKenzie, and the Americans iced the game in the final minute with Ludwig’s empty netter.

Both teams were scoreless on the power play as Missouri finished 0-for-4 and Allen was 0-for-3.

Central Hockey League Semifinals – Series “E” (best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1) – Series tied 1-1

All times Central

Game 1 – Missouri 5 at Allen 1

Game 2 – Missouri 1 at Allen 4

Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 17 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game A – Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 19 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game B – Independence Events Center

Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 20 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game C – Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 22 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 23 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*-if necessary

Tickets for all three of the Mavericks’ home games are on sale now and available at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or going directly to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office at the IEC.  The Mavericks encourage all fans to wear orange for all playoff games.

Mavericks Power Past Allen, 5-1, In Game One Of CHL Semifinals

The Missouri Mavericks scored three power play goals en route to a 5-1 win over the Allen Americans in Game One of the Central Hockey League Semifinals at Allen Event Center.  Missouri scored three-third period goals and the had five different goal scorers as they took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.  Goaltender Mathieu Corbeil stopped 36 of 37 shots in the win and kept his postseason record perfect at 3-0.  Mavs’ forward Sebastien Thinel led all scorers with three points on a goal and two assists and his linemate Kellan Tochkin scored a goal in his fifth straight game.

“The guys stay disciplined tonight,” said Mavericks Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “Special teams were huge getting three power play goals and not giving them any.”

It took less than two minutes for the Mavericks to open the scoring.  Sebastien Thinel’s shot from the top of the left circle went through traffic and beat Americans’ netminder Aaron Dell at the 1:55 mark.  Allen had a quality chance to tie the game when Jim McKenzie was awarded a penalty shot, but Mavericks’ goaltender Corbeil stopped McKenzie’s attempt.  Missouri held the 1-0 lead through the opening 20 minutes.

Allen tied the game late in the second period when Kale Kerbashian buried the Americans only goal at the 16:41 mark, but Missouri quickly answered and regained the lead with just over a minute to go in the period.  Dave Pszenyczny’s shot from the point got through traffic in front of the net and marked the Mavericks first of three power play goals.  Again, Missouri took a one-goal lead into the intermission.

After an early power play to the Americans in the third period, it was all Mavericks.  Kenton Miller gave the visitors a 3-1 lead on the power play when he buried a shot from the slot on a nice pass from Tochkin.  Then Missouri took advantage of multiple penalties on the Americans and Andrew Courtney buried a backdoor feed from Thinel for a five-on-three power play goal.  Finally, at the 10:59 mark of the final period, Tochkin scored a goal in his fifth straight game to make it 5-1.  Allen goalie Aaron Dell was pulled from the game following the Mavericks’ fifth goal and Steve Silverthorn replaced him.  It marked the third time in seven post-season games in which the Mavericks have forced a goaltender change.

Missouri finished 3-for-8 on the power play and the Mavericks killed all four of the Americans chances.  Allen finished with 57 minutes in penalties after three misconducts were called in the third period.  Allen outshot the Mavericks 37-24.

Central Hockey League Semifinals – Series “E” (best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1) – Missouri Leads 1-0

All times Central

Game 1 – Missouri 5 at Allen 1

Game 2 – Mon., Apr. 15 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 17 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game A – Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 19 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game B – Independence Events Center

*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 20 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game C – Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 22 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 23 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*-if necessary

The Mavericks encourage fans to stop by Independence Events Center on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to witness the ice being installed at the events center.  Fans are requested to enter through the Top Shelf Team Store.

Refunds will only be given for games not played.  The Mavericks encourage all fans to wear orange for all playoff games.

Mavericks Playoffs News & Notes

Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1)

Conference Semifinals - (best-of-7)

all times local

Game 1 - Sun., Apr. 14 - Missouri at Allen, 5:05

Game 2 - Mon., Apr. 15 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05

Game 3 - Wed., Apr. 17 - Allen at Missouri, 7:05

Game 4 - Fri., Apr. 19 - Allen at Missouri, 7:05

*Game 5 - Sat., Apr. 20 - Allen at Missouri, 7:05

*Game 6 - Mon., Apr. 22 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*Game 7 - Tue., Apr. 23 - Missouri at Allen, 7:05

* if necessary

Series Notes:

-The two teams split six games during the regular season while splitting four games in Allen and two games in Missouri. Sebastien Thinel, the league's Most Valuable Player and regular season scoring champion, had five goals and five assists leading all skaters in the regular season series.

-The Americans won four straight games to end their Opening Round series with Denver and will have been idle for eight days once their series with Missouri gets underway on Sunday.

-Missouri forward Kellan Tochkin is tied for the lead in scoring in the post-season with 10 points (5-5=10) earning half of those points in the Mavericks series clinching Game 6 in Rapid City where he scored two goals with three assists factoring in on all of his team's five goals.

-Goaltender Mathieu Corbeil earned the win in Game 6, the clincher, for the Mavs in their Opening Round series pushing him to 2-0 with a .940 save percentage (tops in the league) and a 1.45 GAA (tops in the league) in this year's postseason.

Mavericks Announce CHL Semifinals Schedule vs. Allen Americans

The Missouri Mavericks advanced to the Central Hockey League (CHL) Semifinals Wednesday night and the team will face the top-seeded Allen Americans in a best-of-seven series.  The series will start on Sun., April 14 in Allen and will follow a 2-3-2 format.  The fifth-seeded Mavericks will host Games Three, Four and Five (if necessary) at Independence Events Center on April 17, 19 and 20.

Tickets for all three of the Mavericks’ home games will go on sale this Fri., April 12 at 10 a.m. Tickets will be available at www.Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or going directly to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office at the IEC.  Refunds will only be given for games not played and Game Five of the series is currently credit card only.

Central Hockey League Semifinals – Series “E” (best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks (5) vs. Allen Americans (1)

All times Central

Game 1 – Sun., Apr. 14 – Missouri at Allen, 5:05

Game 2 – Mon., Apr. 15 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

Game 3 – Wed., Apr. 17 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game A – Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Fri., Apr. 19 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game B – Independence Events Center

*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 20 – Allen at Missouri, 7:05 – Round Two, Game C – Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Mon., Apr. 22 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*Game 7 – Tue., Apr. 23 – Missouri at Allen, 7:05

*-if necessary

The Mavericks encourage all fans to wear orange for all playoff games.

Mavericks Shutout Americans, 4-0; Miller Sets Team Record

The Missouri Mavericks (35-24-6) continued their solid play with a 4-0 shutout win over the Allen Americans at Allen Event Center Saturday night. Mavericks’ forward Kenton Miller broke the Mavericks’ single season record for goals with his 29th and 30th goals of the season.  He also added an assist for a three-point game.  Goaltender Mathieu Corbeil stopped all 36 shots he faced for his second shutout and the Mavericks’ third shutout of the season.  Forward Sebastien Thinel also had two goals and one assist as he improved to a CHL-high 95 points on the season.

Thinel scored the Mavericks’ first two goals, both at even strength, and Miller scored the final two goals, both with the man-advantage.  Thinel’s two goals were scored just 2:28 apart in the opening period.  He redirected a pass from Josh Hepditch at 5:06 to put Missouri up 1-0, and then he beat Allen goaltender Aaron Dell to the short side at 7:34.  At that point, Thinel had tied the Mavericks’ single season record for goals with his 29th of the season.

Miller tied Thinel and the Mavericks’ single season record with his 29th goal on the power play late in the second period. The goal came with just 13 seconds remaining and while the Mavs had a two-man advantage.  Miller scored the record-breaking goal at 8:53 of the third period on an assist from Brandon Smith.  He becomes the first Maverick to have a 30-goal season, and he accomplished the feat in just 52 games played.

Allen outshot the Mavericks in all three periods and 36-22 overall, but Corbeil stopped all 36 shots for Missouri, and Dell was replaced by Steve Silverthorn following the Mavericks’ fourth goal.

The Mavericks close out the regular season in Wichita on Sunday.  If Missouri wins or loses in overtime or a shootout, they will earn the fourth seed and play on Fri., March 29 and Sat., March 30 at home.  If Missouri loses in regulation, they will start the series in Rapid City.  Playoff tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office.  Only playoff games A, B and C of the first round are on sale.

Mavericks Defeated By Americans In Hard Fought Battle, 3-2

The Missouri Mavericks (28-20-5) were defeated by the Allen Americans, 3-2, Saturday night at Allen Event Center.  Americans’ forward Jarret Lukin’s power play goal in the third period was the game winning goal and the first-place Americans won their league-leading 34th game of the season.  Allen had twice as many power play opportunities than the Mavericks in a penalty filled affair.  The Americans finished 1-for-8 on the power play while the Mavericks were scoreless on four chances with the man advantage.  Mavericks’ goaltender Mike Clemente stopped 16 of 19 shots in the loss and Aaron Dell made 19 saves on 21 shots in the win for Allen.  Missouri stays on the road for a game against the Wichita Thunder on Sunday evening starting at 5:05 p.m. at INTRUST Bank Arena.
“A tough battle,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “Allen spent over 17 minutes on the power play and they still had very few chances until they scored the winner.  We played a very good defensive game and had three breakaway chances so the outcome certainly could have been different.  We have to go right back to work and find a way to get two points in Wichita tomorrow.”
After a scoreless first period, the Mavericks and Americans did not disappoint in the second period.  Allen struck first on a goal by Jamie Schaafsma at the 7:03 ­ mark.  He was assisted by Darryl Bootland and Jason Deitsch, but the Mavericks answered quickly.  Evan Vossen scored on a wrap-around goal just 1:42 after the Americans took the lead.
Colt King gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead at the 11:32 mark on assists from Evan Vossen and Trevor Kell.  The goal marked King’s seventh goal in his last seven games.  Allen tied the game with just 2:17 remaining in the second period when Trevor Hendrikx took a shot that went through traffic and beat Clemente.  Through two periods, the teams were tied, 2-2.
Allen was awarded a four-on-three power play in the third period and they finally converted when Lukin redirected a pass from Anthony Maiani into the back of the net.  The goal came at the 9:11 mark of the period, and although the Mavericks pressured the Allen end for a majority of the remaining time, they couldn’t get another puck past Dell.
Missouri concludes their three-in-three weekend Sunday evening in Wichita.  The Mavericks will return home on Tuesday, March 5 to take on the Bloomington Blaze.

Mavericks Fall To The Americans 5-3

The Missouri Mavericks faced off against the Allen Americans Saturday night at Independence Event Center and the Americans skated away with a 4-3 victory.  Mavericks’ forward Colt King had a goal and two assists on the night, while John-Scott Dickson also had two points with a goal and an assist.  The Americans’ Adam Pineault had a pair of goals on the night, while Kale Kerbashian also ended the night with two points, an assist and a goal.  Both teams penalty kill units were extremely effective, the Mavericks went 1-10 while Allen was 1-6.  The Mavericks are now 2-2 vs. the Americans and 25-19-4 for the season.  The Mavericks wore specialty USA-themed jerseys that were auctioned off after the game and benefitted Rainbow Center.
Allen quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.  Pineault scored on the power play at the 7:11 mark, and then Kerbashian made it a two-goal lead just 1:11 later.  Missouri answered and tied the game on a power play goal by King and an even strength goal by Dickson.
The Americans scored the only goal of the second period when Jim McKenzie lit the lamp at the 1:59 mark.
It was a penalty filled third period.  Missouri tied the game on Trevor Kell’s eighth goal of the season when he bounced the puck off the back of Americans’ goaltender Aaron Dell.  Pineault scored his second of the game, a shorthanded goal at the 6:21 mark to give the visitors a 4-3 lead.
Missouri had multiple chances following Allen’s go-ahead goal including two five-on-three power plays, but the Mavericks were unable to get the puck past Dell.  Ludwig sealed the win with an empty netter that just slid into the goal at 19:27 in the third period.
Missouri will take to the road for a pair of games next week before they host the Wichita Thunder on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Independence Events Center.

Mavericks Fall to First-Place Americans, 5-1

Kale Kerbashian had a pair of goals including the game winner as the Allen Americans defeated the Missouri Mavericks, 5-1, Friday night at Allen Event Center.  The Americans scored three third-period goals and goaltender Aaron Dell stopped 28 of 29 shots in the win.  Mavericks’ leading scorer Sebastien Thinel scored the lone goal for the Mavericks, his team-leading 20th goal of the season.  Missouri returns home Saturday night to take on the Tulsa Oilers at Independence Events Center.
“It was a tough night all over the ice,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “We were beat by a good team, and they looked like a first place team. The challenge is to put this behind us and play a great game tomorrow night on home ice.”
Allen jumped out to an early lead when Jamie Schaafsma redirected a pass from Anthony Maiani and beat Mavericks’ goaltender Corbeil.  The goal came at the 4:26 mark of the opening period and Americans’ defenseman Mike Montgomery earned the second assist on the play.  The Americans took a 2-0 lead at the 8:59 mark when Kerbashian blasted a slapshot from just inside the blueline and it beat Corbeil to the stick side.
Missouri bounced back and made it a one-goal game on Thinel’s 20th goal of the season.  He took a centering pass from Andrew Courtney and beat Americans’ goaltender Dell with 5:02 remaining in the opening frame.
Neither team was able to score in the second period, and the Americans held a 2-1 lead on the scoreboard and a 25-19 lead in shots.
Both teams had their chances throughout the first 10 minutes of the final period, but the Americans finally broke the game open with 7:02 remaining.  Jason Deitsch scored on a wrist shot from the left circle to make it 3-1.  Less than three minutes later, Adam Pineault scored a shorthanded breakaway goal to make it 4-1.  Finally, Kerbashian added his second goal of the night into the empty net with just under two minutes remaining.
The Mavericks will host the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday at Independence Events Center.

Mavericks End Two-Game Skid With 3-2 Win

Kenton Miller scored 25 seconds into overtime and the Missouri Mavericks (14-10-2) defeated the Allen Americans, 3-2, Friday night at Independence Events Center. Sebastien Thinel and Kyle Hood each had a goal and an assist for Missouri and goaltender Mike Clemente stopped 33 of 35 shots in the win. Americans' forward Scotty Howes scored both of the visiting team's goals and the Americans' are winless against the Mavericks in two games this season. Missouri will travel to Fort Worth for a game Saturday night against the Brahmas at 7:30 p.m.

Allen got on the board first when Howes scored his 16th goal of the season on a power play. Trevor Ludwig earned the only assist on the play and the 1-0 lead stood until the third period.

The Mavericks finally broke through when the CHL's leading scorer Sebastien Thinel scored his 11th goal of the season on an assist by Andrew Courtney at the 3:53 mark of the final period. Missouri then took the lead when the newest Maverick, Kyle Hood, scored on a blast from the right circle at the 12:26 mark. Ryan Jardine and Dave Pszenyczny assisted on the play, but the Americans would not go quietly. Allen scored with 1:13 remaining in regulation with an extra attacker on Howes' second goal of the game. He came in along the right wing and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Clemente to send the game into overtime.

Missouri made quick work of the overtime as Kenton Miller moved a rebound to his backhand and beat Americans' goaltender Aaron Dell. The goal came just 25 seconds into the extra frame and Thinel and Hood each earned assists on the winning goal.

Missouri begins a four-game road trip Saturday night in Fort Worth where they will take on the Fort Worth Brahmas at 7:30 p.m. The Mavericks will return to Independence Events Center on New Year's Eve to face off against the Tulsa Oilers at 7:05 p.m. Tickets on are sale via Ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000 or by heading to the Silverstein Eye Centers Box Office.

Mavericks Hand First-Place Americans First Home Loss, 4-3

The Missouri Mavericks had a three-goal third period and came from behind to beat the Allen Americans, 4-3, Thursday night at Allen Event Center. Mavericks' forward Brian Bicek had two goals and two assists including the game-winning goal, and goaltender Mike Clemente had 32 saves on 35 shots for his third win of the season. Missouri killed all five of the Americans' power play chances, and the Mavericks (4-5-2) handed the Americans (9-2-0) their first home loss of the season.

"That was a huge team victory," said Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman. "We had a great game by the special teams. Brian Bicek and Mike Clemente were a big part statistically, but shutting down Allen's power play at key times was the biggest key to victory."

Missouri dominated the opening 20 minutes of the game and Sebastien Thinel was the difference in scoring through the first period. Thinel gave Missouri a 1-0 lead on assists from Bicek and Jamie VanderVeeken.

In the second period, the Mavericks were forced to kill two full penalties and half of a third penalty and the Americans came back to tie the game. Scott Howes scored at the 16:21 mark of the second period to give the Americans their first goal and tie the game, 1-1.

Allen scored only 1:17 into the third period to give them their first lead of the game. Tyler Ludwig scored on assists from Darryl Bootland and Howes.

The Mavericks took over after the Americans took the lead. First, at the 8:33 mark of the third period while on the power play, Jeff Pierce tied the game when he gathered the puck and stuffed it into the net after Bicek's shot hit the post. Bicek then notched the first of his two goals at the 11:01 mark when his shot from the left face-off dot beat Americans' goaltender Aaron Dell. Bicek then made it a 4-2 game on an empty net goal at the 19:00 mark, but the Americans didn't give in. Allen finished the scoring on an extra attacker goal by Jamie Schaafsma with 34 seconds remaining.

The Mavericks host the Rapid City Rush this Saturday, Nov. 17 at Independence Events Center at 7:05 p.m. For more information on the Missouri Mavericks visit www.MissouriMavericks.com .