Mavericks Fall to Komets, 4-1, Force Decisive Game 7

The Missouri Mavericks fell to the Fort Wayne Komets, 4-1, Tuesday night in Game 6 of the Turner Conference Finals. Fort Wayne forced a game seven with the win and the team’s will play on Thursday night in Fort Wayne for a chance to go to the President’s Cup Finals and face the Wichita Thunder.  Komets’ forward Mike Vaskivuo had a three-point game on a goal and two assists, and four different Komets scored goals. Mavericks’ goaltender Charlie Effinger stopped 43 of 47 shots in his third loss of the post-season.

Jamie Milam gave the Komets a 1-0 lead at the 12:28 mark of the first period on assists from Vaskivuo and Chris Auger. The goal proved to be the only one of the period and Fort Wayne outshot the Mavericks 18-8.

Fort Wayne scored a pair of early goals in the second period to extend their lead to 3-0.  First, Vaskivuo scored on a goal that just trickled over the goal line at the 2:03 mark. Colin Chaulk made it 3-0 when he found a loose puck and buried his shot over Effinger who was already down on the ice after making the initial save. Jamie Lovell assisted and Vaskivuo earned his third point of the game with the second assist. After two periods, Mavericks’ goaltender Effinger had 33 saves on 36 shots and Komets’ netminder Nick Boucher had stopped all 17 of Missouri’s shots.

Fort Wayne extended their lead to 4-0 at the 7:27 mark of the third period when Bobby Chaumont took a pass from Brett Smith and one-timed it into the Mavericks’ net. Missouri scored their only goal of the night at the 13:51 mark on a power play goal by Dale Mahovsky. Earning the assists on the play were Matt McCready and Ed McGrane.

Fort Wayne outshot the Mavericks 47-32.  Missouri finished 1-for-4 on the power play while the Komets were 0-for-2.

The Mavericks and Komets will battle in Game 7 on Thursday night at Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. The winner of Thursday’s game will take on the Wichita Thunder in the Presidents’ Cup Finals.  Tune in live on MissouriMavericks.com or watch live on CHL-TV.

Mavericks Defeat Fort Wayne 5-2, Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Missouri Mavericks took a 3-2 series lead in the best-of-seven Turner Conference Finals with a 5-2 victory over the Fort Wayne Komets Saturday night at Independence Events Center. Sebastien Thinel and Ed McGrane notched two points each with a goal and an assist in the win and Charlie Effinger made 24 saves on 26 shots by the Komets. The series now shifts back to Fort Wayne for Game Six of the series on Tuesday evening. If necessary, Game Seven will be on Thursday. Faceoff for Tuesday’s game will be 6:30pm Central Daylight Time.
The Mavs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead 39 seconds into regulation on a goal from John-Scott Dickson. Dale Mahovsky assisted on the goal. The Komets responded halfway through the period on Jean-Michel Rizk’s fifth goal of the series, scored unassisted. The Mavs regained a lead with a shorthanded goal of their own two minutes later, when Sebastien Thinel and Ed McGrane broke in on goal on a two-on-one. Thinel flipped the pass over the defender to McGrane who put it home to give the Mavs the 2-1 lead. Missouri doubled their lead just less than two minutes to play, as Brandon Smith collected a loose puck in the crease and put it in the back of the net. Ryan Jardine and Kris Hogg were given assists on the net. The first period ended with the Mavs leading the Komets 3-1 and owning a 16-6 advantage in the shot column.
The Komets drew closer eight minutes into the second period on a power play goal from Frankie DeAngelis. The Mavs regained their two-goal lead three and a half minutes later on an unassisted goal from Sebastien Thinel. No other scoring occurred in the period and the Mavericks took a 4-2 lead into the final 20 minutes of regulation.
Missouri sealed their Game Five victory with five minutes remaining in regulation, as Kris Hogg buried a pass from Andrew Courtney in front of the goal. McGrane received his second point of the game with an assist on the goal. The 5-2 score stood up as the final.
The Mavs now take their 3-2 series lead to Fort Wayne for Game Six on Tuesday and if necessary, Game Seven on Thursday.

MAVERICKS TO HOST PRE-GAME TAILGATE PARTY FOR GAME FIVE

The Missouri Mavericks will host a tailgate party tomorrow from 4:00-6:30pm outside the South Entrance, next to the Community Ice Rink.  The pre-game party will feature:
- Food and Beer Specials including $1 Hot Dogs, $3 Nachos, $2 Soda/Water
- Music, a shoot booth, and inflatables for the kids
- A custom made Mavericks Ice Sculpture
- FREE Peanuts
- Face Painter
In addition to the pregame party, the first 1,000 fans in attendance at the game will receive Orange Army flashlight keychains courtesy of the Missouri Mavericks.
Tickets for Saturday's game are still available through TicketMaster.com and MissouriMavericks.com.

Mavericks' Comeback Falls Short, Lose To Komets 5-4 In Double Overtime

The Missouri Mavericks fell in double overtime to the Fort Wayne Komets by the score of 5-4 in Game Four of the Turner Conference Finals Thursday night at Independence Events Center. The Mavericks overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period and led with 28 seconds to go in regulation before the Komets were granted a power play, converting the power play with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Frankie DeAngelis scored the game-winner at 2:47 of double overtime, tying the series at 2-2. Charlie Effinger stopped 46 of 51 shots by the Komets. Game five is Saturday evening at Independence Events Center.
Both teams went scoreless in the opening period of play, but combined for eight penalties totaling 16 penalty minutes. The Komets outshot the Mavericks 16-9 in the period.
Ed McGrane got the Mavs on the board at the 8:25 mark of the second period with a power play goal to open the scoring. Andrew Courtney and David Pszenyczny assisted on the goal. Jean-Michel Rizk tied the game with six minutes to go in the second, bringing the score to 1-1. The goal was Rizk’s third in two games. The Komets added two quick goals towards the end of the period from Chris Auger and Brett Smith to take a 3-1 lead. The goals by Auger and Smith were scored within 58 seconds of each other. All three goals by the Komets were scored within 2:48. The Komets yet again outshot the Mavericks 17-11 in the period.
Andrew Courtney drew the Mavs within one goal at the 9:22 mark of the final period of regulation with a power play goal. Kris Hogg and Sebastien Thinel assisted on the goal. With an assist on Courtney’s goal, Thinel now has points in all eight postseason contests for Missouri. The Mavericks tied the game with 7:11 left in regulation on a redirection by Dale Mahovsky off of a David Simoes shot from the point. Missouri took the lead with 1:04 left in regulation on a goal from John-Scott Dickson. Assisting on Dickson’s goal were Ryan Jardine and Patrick Schafer. With a win seemingly in hand, the Komets were awarded a power play with 28 seconds remaining in regulation. Ed McGrane, who had committed just four penalties in the regular season and not been charged with a penalty all postseason, was called for tripping in the neutral zone. The Komets converted on their power play opportunity six seconds later, when Jamie Milam tied the game at 4-4, sending the game to overtime.
Both teams failed to score a game winner through the first overtime and the game headed to a second OT. 1:35 into the second extra frame, Dale Mahovsky, who had not been charged with a penalty all postseason, was whistled for tripping in the neutral zone. The Komets once again capitalized on an opportunistic man advantage with the game winning goal from Frankie DeAngelis at the 2:47 mark of double overtime.
The series is now tied at 2-2 with Game Five of the Turner Conference Finals Saturday night at Independence Events Center. Game six will be played on Tuesday at the Allen County War Memorial in Fort Wayne, If necessary, Game Seven will be next Thursday, also in Fort Wayne.

April 21st Weekend Preview

Again this weekend kicks off on Thursday night with hockey. The Missouri Mavericks host game four of the Turner Conference Finals at the Independence Events Center. The Mavericks hold a two games to one advantage over Fort Wayne and are looking to make it a 3 to 1 advantage tonight. There team will have plenty of activities such as $1 hot dogs, $3 beers, face painters and coupon giveaways going on before and during the game. Also, Family Four packs in the Terrace and Rinkside price levels are still available. Get four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsi's starting at only $70.
There will be a post game party after both game at the Lee’s Summit Brew Top Pub (700 NE Woods Chapel Road)
The Mavericks will also be hosting game five and hopefully be able to close out the series on Saturday night. All games will be streamed live.
If you happen to be down around Crown Center today or Friday you can take in the "Fair Play - Sports" Art Show at the Buttonwood Art Space (3013 Main St. Kansas City, MO 64108, 816-865-9040). Fair Play features all types of sports themes with all art sales benefitting PE4Life, a charitable program aimed at keeping kids in school through sports activities. The show runs from through May 25th, M-F 9am - 5pm.
The Mavericks are not the only local team in action Saturday night. The Kansas City Command are in San Jose to take on the SaberCats. The SaberCats are a perennial power in the AFL and look to be tough again this season. The Command are off to a rough start (0-4) but look to get on the right track in San Jose. Kansas City has former Kansas City Chief Matt Gutierrez under center who threw for five touchdowns against Chicago two weeks ago.
The game will air live on Sports Radio 810 WHB and on a video webstream at www.ustream.tv/kansascitycommand and will air on tape delay at 1pm Sunday, April 22 on KSMO-TV 62.
Have a great weekend everyone.

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.

Mavericks Double Up Komets, 6-3; Missouri Takes 2-0 Lead in Conference Finals

Andrew Courtney scored two goals and Charlie Effinger made 39 saves as the Missouri Mavericks defeated the Fort Wayne Komets, 6-3, Saturday night at Memorial Coliseum.  Missouri now leads the Turner Conference Finals two games to none.  Courtney finished with three points on two goals and one assist, and Mavericks’ forward Ed McGrane also had a three-point game with a goal and two assists.  The teams will now head to Missouri for games three, four and five (if necessary) at Independence Events Center on Wednesday, April 18, Thursday, April 19 and Saturday, April 21.  Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or at the Independence Events Center Box Office.
“We played pretty well in the first and third periods,” said Mavericks’ head coach Scott Hillman.  “They are playing good hockey and did their damage in the third, but we have to continue to make adjustments.  We want to bring it home, take it one period at a time and take care of business.”
The Mavericks jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period.  First, at the 5:20 mark, Mavericks’ forward John-Scott Dickson scored his fourth goal of the playoffs on a centering feed from Sebastien Thinel.  The Mavericks made it 2-0 when Courtney scored the first of his two goals at the 11:52 mark.  Kris Hogg came streaking into the Komets’ zone along the left wing and ripped a shot wide, but Courtney picked up the puck along the boards outside the right circle and snapped it home.  Komets’ netminder Nick Boucher was pulled in favor of former Maverick Gerry Festa after the second goal.
Jamie Lovell tallied the Komets’ first goal of the game at the 13:06 mark of the second period on a blast from inside the left circle, but the Mavericks regained the two-goal lead at the 17:02 mark.  Forward Patrick Schafer notched his second goal of the post-season when he lifted a wrist shot over the shoulder of Festa giving the Mavericks a 3-1 lead.  Fort Wayne controlled most of the play in the second period and had a 35-12 edge in shots through the first two periods, but it was the Mavericks with the lead as the teams headed to the third period.
Just 46 seconds into the third period, Courtney gave the Mavericks a 4-1 lead on a rebound off a shot by Ryan Jardine, but the Komets did not go quietly.  Bobby Chaumont score for Fort Wayne on the power play at the 3:53 mark on assists from Jamie Milam and Frankie DeAngelis.  It marked the first power play goal against the Mavericks in the playoffs.  Chris Auger made it a one-goal game when he banged in a rebound at the 4:58 mark of the third period, but that would be as close as Fort Wayne would get.
The Mavericks defense clamped down in the final fifteen minutes of regulation and Brandon Smith all but ended the game when he scored an unassisted goal at the 17:58 mark.  Smith beat the Komets’ defense to a loose puck in the Fort Wayne zone and wristed a shot past Festa to give Missouri a 5-3 lead.  McGrane added an empty net goal on the power play with 38 seconds remaining to finalize the scoring at 6-3.
“We need to do a lot of things differently to continue to win hockey games,” added Hillman.  “I still don’t think we have recovered from the time off.  It will be nice to get a practice in now that we have the game conditioning and continue to make adjustments.”

Mavericks Win Overtime Thriller, 3-2, in Game One of Conference Finals

The Missouri Mavericks tied the game on a penalty shot with 19 seconds remaining and scored five minutes into overtime to come from behind and beat the Fort Wayne Komets, 3-2, Friday night in game one of the Turner Conference Finals. Ed McGrane scored the Mavericks’ penalty shot and John-Scott Dickson notched the game winner at the 5:20 mark of overtime. Mavericks’ goaltender Charlie Effinger stopped 38 of 40 shots for his fifth straight playoff win. The Mavericks lead the best-of-seven series 1-0, and game two of the Turner Conference Finals is Saturday night at Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne.
“Big win,” said Mavericks’ head coach Scott Hillman. “Our greatest fear of the rust was certainly evident tonight, and we need to be better tomorrow if we want to get the same outcome.”
Fort Wayne outshot the Mavericks 40-27 and 17-3 in the third period and overtime combined. Missouri had just one shot in the third period and it was McGrane’s penalty shot that tied the game with 19 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Mavericks opened the scoring just 1:02 into the game when Andrew Courtney scored his first goal of the post-season on a rebound. Sebastien Thinel earned the lone assist on the play, and the Mavericks held the lead for just under seven minutes. At the 6:59 mark of the period, Tom Mele took a centering feed from Jean-Michel Rizk and beat Effinger to tie the game at one.  The teams remained tied for the final 13 minutes of the opening period and there were no penalties called in the first 20 minutes.
Just as the Mavericks scored an early goal in the first period, the Komets scored only 1:28 into the second period. Mike Vaskivuo scored on pass from Colin Chaulk to give the Komets their first lead of the game.  Chris Auger also assisted on the play and it proved to be the only goal of the second period. The Mavericks earned two power play chances in the second compared to one for the Komets, but neither team was able to light the lamp on their respective power plays. Through two periods, the Mavericks had a 24-23 edge in shots, but were trailing 2-1.
The Komets continued to pressure in the third period, but Effinger was equal to the task on all 13 shots by the Komets. In the final minute, the Mavericks’ pulled Effinger in favor of the extra attacker and earned a faceoff in the Komets zone. Komets’ defenseman Brent Henley was called for intentionally moving the net off its moorings and the Mavericks were awarded penalty shot. McGrane buried the penalty shot with 19 seconds remaining to force overtime.
After back and forth action in the opening minutes of the overtime period, Mavericks’ forward John-Scott Dickson took the puck along the right wing and snapped a shot from a sharp angle that bounced off Komets’ goaltender Nick Boucher and into the back of the net. It marked the Mavericks first playoff overtime victory.
Boucher finished with 24 saves on 27 shots in the loss. Missouri was 0 for 2 on the power play and the Mavericks killed the Komets’ only power play chance.

Family Four Packs now available for Mavericks' Wednesday and Thursday games

The Missouri Mavericks are now offering Family Four packs in the Terrace and Rinkside price levels for the games on Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19.  Get four tickets, four hot dogs and four Pepsi's starting at only $70!  Please see full Conference Finals details below.

The Missouri Mavericks will play the Fort Wayne Komets in the Central Hockey League’s (CHL) Turner Conference Finals starting Friday, April 13 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The series is a best-of-seven and will follow a 2-3-2 format.  Missouri is in the conference finals for the first time in team history and the #3 seeded Mavericks will host games three, four and five (if necessary) at Independence Events Center.

HOME GAMES IN THIS SERIES

Round 2 Game A - Wed, April 18 - 7:05 PM - Tickets Here

Round 2 Game B - Thur, April 19 - 7:05 PM - Tickets Here

Round 2 Game C - Sat, April 21 - 7:05 PM - Tickets Here

Turner Conference Finals (Best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks vs. Fort Wayne Komets

All times Central

Game 1 – Friday, April 13 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday, April 14 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.

Game 3 – Wednesday, April 18 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Thursday, April 19 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

*Game 5 - Saturday, April 21 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Tuesday, April 24 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 6:30 p.m.

*Game 7 – Thursday, April 26 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 6:30 p.m.

Mavericks to Face Fort Wayne in Turner Conference Finals

The Missouri Mavericks will play the Fort Wayne Komets in the Central Hockey League’s (CHL) Turner Conference Finals starting this Friday, April 13 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The series is a best-of-seven and will follow a 2-3-2 format.  Missouri is in the conference finals for the first time in team history and the #3 seeded Mavericks will host games three, four and five (if necessary) at Independence Events Center.

Turner Conference Finals (Best-of-7)

Missouri Mavericks vs. Fort Wayne Komets

All times Central

Game 1 – Friday, April 13 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.

Game 2 – Saturday, April 14 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.

Game 3 – Wednesday, April 18 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

Game 4 – Thursday, April 19 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

*Game 5 - Saturday, April 21 – Fort Wayne at Missouri, 7:05 p.m. – Independence Events Center

*Game 6 – Tuesday, April 24 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 6:30 p.m.

*Game 7 – Thursday, April 26 – Missouri at Fort Wayne, 6:30 p.m.

* - if necessary