CHL Kansas City Mavericks

Mavericks Battle To 5-4 Shootout Win Over Colorado

February 2, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - Nick Sirota tallied a pair of goals and Jeff Christian had a four-point game as the Missouri Mavericks battled to a 5-4 shootout win over the Colorado Eagles Tuesday night at Independence Events Center. Mavericks' forward Simon Watson also tallied multiple points in the game with a pair of assists and Missouri won their first game over Colorado in five chances this season. Missouri (20-20-3) moved into fifth place in the Northern Conference standings, and lead the Tulsa Oilers by one point. The Mavs and Oilers will face off for a pair of games this weekend at Independence Events Center.

Sirota gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead and scored his fifth goal in as many games against the Eagles at the 3:39 mark of the first period. Missouri held a good cycle in the Colorado zone and Sirota picked up the puck to the right of Eagles' goaltender Mike Mole and beat him stick side. Adam Hogg tied the game for the Eagles just over one minute later when he blasted a slap shot over the blocker of Mavericks' goaltender Gerry Festa. Colorado took their first lead of the game at the 7:53 mark on Ryan Tobler's 18th goal of the season. Tobler took a pass from Kevin Ulanski who was behind the Mavericks net and snapped the puck into the open net.

The Mavericks answered with a five-on-three goal at the 15:46 mark of the first period when Jeff MacDermid banged home a rebound. MacDermid's 17th goal of the season was assisted by Sirota and Jeff Christian who registered his second assist of the game. Missouri outshot the Eagles 14-8 in the period; however the teams remained tied, 2-2, going into the first intermission.

Only one goal was scored in the second period and it was courtesy of Colorado's Brett Lutes. The Eagles' left wing buried a shot as Festa was tangled in the net with one of his own defenseman. The Eagles outshot Missouri 13-9 in the second and held a 3-2 lead going into the final frame.

Missouri had a tall task heading into the third period as they had won just four games in 22 chances when heading into the third period trailing. Colorado, on the other hand, was 20-1-1 when leading after two periods. Sirota tied the game quickly when his attempt from a sharp angle beat Mole and tied the game at three just 22 seconds into the final period. Missouri then took the lead on Christian's 23rd goal of the season when the puck bounced off his body and into the back of the net at the 9:58 mark.

Missouri held on to the 4-3 lead until the final minute of regulation when Ryan McLeod tapped in a back door with 41 seconds remaining. The Mavericks kept their composure in the overtime period and nearly won the game on a couple of quality scoring chances in the extra session, but the game was to be determined in a shootout. MacDermid and Jordan Foreman each scored in the shootout and Festa stopped four of five shots to propel the Mavericks to their seventh shootout win of the season. Missouri is now 7-1 in shootouts this season.

Colorado outshot the Mavericks 37-35, but lost their first game to the Mavericks. Missouri killed all five of the Eagles' power play chances marking the third straight game in which the Mavericks have not allowed a power play goal. It is the first time this season the Mavericks have not allowed a power play goal in three straight games.

The Mavericks continue their home stand with a pair of games against the Tulsa Oilers this weekend at Independence Events Center. For individual tickets call (866) 443-8849 or visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2010


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