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CHL Kansas City Mavericks

Mavericks Lose to Thunder 3-0 in First Pre-Season Game

October 9, 2009 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - The Missouri Mavericks were defeated by the Wichita Thunder, 3-0, Friday night at Wichita Ice Center in the first exhibition game in Mavericks' history. Missouri outshot the Thunder 39-32 in the game, but was unable to get a puck past the Wichita defense.

Wichita scored 38 seconds into the opening frame and added a five-on-three goal later in the first period which proved to be all the offense the home team would need.

Unofficially, the Mavericks were 0-13 on the power play in the game, but the penalty kill stopped all but one of Wichita's seven man-advantages.

The Thunder added a short-handed goal in the third period to make it a 3-0 game.

Mavericks' goaltender Doug Groenestege allowed two goals in the opening frame and was replaced by Dan Earles midway through the second period. Earles allowed just one goal in the second half of the game.

"We really tested the young guys tonight with a lot of rookies in the lineup," said Mavericks' Head Coach Scott Hillman. "We had a much younger lineup than Wichita, and it was a good, physical test for those players."

"I felt like we excelled in the physical aspect of the game, and we showed a lot of puck control," said Hillman. "Throughout the week in practice, there were a few good surprises as the younger players were narrowing the gap on the more experienced guys. This game confirmed some of those surprises and a few players excelled, but unfortunately it also went in the opposite direction for a few players."

The teams will square off again Saturday night in the second and final pre-season game at Wichita Ice Center at 7:05 p.m.

The Mavericks begin their inaugural season on Friday, October 16 on the road against the Rapid City Rush. Missouri will play the first nine games on the road before the team's home opener on November 13 at the Independence Events Center. Season tickets, group tickets and mini-plans are available by calling the Mavericks front office at (816) 252-7825. For more information, please visit www.MissouriMavericks.com.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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