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CHL Kansas City Mavericks

Mavericks Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Overtime Loss

January 1, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Mississippi - The Missouri Mavericks came back from a two-goal third-period deficit, but ultimately lost in overtime 4-3 to the Memphis RiverKings on Friday night. Mavericks' forward Simon Watson had a pair of goals and Nick Sirota scored with 4:21 remaining in regulation to force the game into overtime. Missouri goaltender Doug Groenestege made 40 saves, but Kevin Truelson's power play goal in overtime lifted Memphis to the victory. Missouri travels to Bossier-Shreveport for a game against the Mudbugs Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

"It was a huge comeback being down by two goals and having a short bench in their building," said Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman. "We earned a point in the standings and will try for two more tomorrow."

After a scoreless opening 14 minutes, Derek Landmesser and Ryan Held each tallied goals for the RiverKings in the final six minutes of the first period. Held's goal came with just three seconds remaining in the period when he banged home a rebound off a Matt Pierce shot. Mississippi doubled the Mavericks' shots on goal in the first outshooting Missouri 20-10 and the ‘Kings held a two-goal lead.

Watson scored the first of his two goals early in the second period on the power play on assists from Chad Hinz and Bret Tyler. The score cut the RiverKings lead in half, but Ryan Campbell quickly made it a two-goal game when he scored at the 8:27 mark on an assist from Held. Both defenses tightened down after and the score remained 3-1 heading into the final period.

The Mavericks started their comeback on Watson's second goal of the game. Watson took a feed from Jeff Christian and beat RiverKings' goaltender Kevin Beech for Watson's fifth goal of the season. Missouri continued to pressure the RiverKings zone and scored the equalizer at the 4:21 mark. Nick Sirota buried a loose puck from the doorstep, tied the game 3-3 and forced the game into overtime.

In the extra session, Mavericks' forward-turned-defenseman Derek Pallardy took a hooking call on a RiverKings rush and Mississippi took advantage of the power play. On the ensuing faceoff, Truelson one-timed a pass from Landmesser and beat Groenestege for the game-winning goal.

Missouri scored once on two power play chances and killed three of the RiverKings' four chances. Mississippi outshot Missouri 44-32 in the game, but the comeback secured a point in the standings for the Mavericks who are now 13-15-2 on the season.

Missouri will travel to Bossier-Shreveport on Saturday to complete four games in five nights. Tune into all the action live on KCWJ 1030-AM or watch live online via CHL-TV. Missouri will host three games next week when they take on the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs on Wednesday, January 5, and they will host the Arizona Sundogs for a pair of games on January 8 and 9. For tickets call (866) 443-8849 or visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.

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