CHL Kansas City Mavericks

Mavs Beat Thunder in OT, 4-3

February 27, 2010 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - For the second time in as many nights, the Missouri Mavericks overcame a two-goal deficit to beat their opponent. Missouri defeated the Wichita Thunder 4-3 in overtime Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd of 5,800 fans at Independence Events Center. Jared Lavender scored the game winning goal just 27 seconds into the overtime period, and Jeff Christian recorded a goal and two assists as the Mavericks (27-23-4) stayed in fifth place in the Northern Conference standings. Tomas Klempa had two goals and an assist for the Thunder who fell to 8-40-5 on the season. Missouri has now won seven of their last eight games and three in a row as they head to Texas for a game Sunday against the Brahmas.

Wichita's newest member of the team, Bobby Hughes, earned his first goal just 6:14 into the game when he batted the puck out of mid-air past Mavericks' goaltender Charlie Effinger. Hughes was assisted by Klempa and AJ Bozoian, and Wichita scored the first goal of the game against the Mavericks for the first time in the last five meetings. Klempa made it 2-0 in favor of the Thunder at 10:40 when he one-timed a pass from Paul Kelly on a shot from the slot. Missouri was unable to convert on three power play opportunities and trailed by two goals despite outshooting Wichita 11-10 in the period.

Todd Paul scored his second goal of the season at the 15:19 mark of the second period to cut the Thunder lead in half at 2-1. Paul received a pass from Christian and ripped a shot from the point over the stick of Wichita goaltender Scott Campbell. The Mavericks capitalized on a four-on-three power play just over two minutes later when Christian wristed a shot from a sharp angle that snuck through the padding of Campbell. He was assisted by Mike Burgoyne and Simon Watson, and the teams remained tied through the second period. Missouri dominated the shots on goal in the second outshooting the Thunder 17-3 in the period.

Missouri continued to pressure Campbell in the final period and Kyle Bochek scored the go-ahead goal at the 4:14 mark. The Mavericks' forward chased down a puck in the corner behind the goal line and banked it off the padding of Campbell to give the Mavericks a 3-2 lead. Wichita tied the game with less than three minutes remaining in regulation on Klempa's second goal of the game. Klempa came in on Effinger from the right wing corner and snuck the puck under the padding of the Mavs' goaltender.

The Mavericks kept their composure, and just 27 seconds into the overtime period, Jared Lavender beat Campbell with a wrist shot from the right circle. Karl Sellan and Toby Lafrance assisted on the game winner as the Mavericks improved to 27-23-4 and earned their first overtime win of the season.

Missouri outshot Wichita 42-17 in the game and finished 1 for 7 on the power play. Wichita was unable to capitalize on three power play opportunities and only managed seven shots in the final two periods.

The Mavericks travel to Texas to take on the Brahmas Sunday afternoon in the only matchup of the season against the CHL's defending champions. Missouri will return home Tuesday for Youth Jersey Night when they face the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees at 7:05 p.m. at Independence Events Center. The first 1,000 kids 12 and under will receive a free Mavericks youth jersey.

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Central Hockey League Stories from February 27, 2010


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