NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Kansas City Mavericks

Mavs Take Thunder to the Wire, Fall 4-3 in Shootout

January 21, 2011 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


INDEPENDENCE, Missouri - After dominating the first year of the series with the Wichita Thunder, the Missouri Mavericks have dealt with a much more polarizing team than last year's Thunder squad in the 2010-11 season. The Mavericks once again could not solve the Thunder and fell 4-3 in a shootout loss. The game was not lacking in excitement as the Mavs would tie the game with a minute and a half left in regulation.

Wichita got the scoring going when their leading scorer Jesse Bennefield broke loose in the neutral zone and beat Robby Nolan through the five-hole on a breakaway. The goal was assisted by A.J. Gale and Bobby Hughes. Wichita was right back on the attack just four minutes later, as Matt Robinson buried a pass from Aaron Davis, doubling Wichita's lead to 2-0. The period would end with Wichita outshooting the Mavericks 12-6.

The Mavericks would make things interesting in the second period, as they finally got on the board on a power play goal from Ryan Jardine on a tic-tac-toe play from Simon Watson and Toby Lafrance and cut the lead to 2-1. Wichita would strike right back a minute and a half later as Lance Galbraith put the Thunder back up by two. The Mavs would respond yet again, this time on an even strength goal. Nathan O'Nabigon corralled a juicy rebound from Marc-Antoine Gelinas and buried it to bring the Mavs back within a single score. Simon Watson got his second assist on the goal. Nick Sirota was credited with an assist on O'Nabigon's goal as well. The Mavs nearly doubled their shot total from the first period, tallying 11 shots in the second period. At the end of the period, the Thunder held a slim 21-17 advantage in shots over the Mavericks.

After nearly 59 minutes of action, the Mavs still trailed by one goal, until Mike Berry found a loose rebound in the slot and buried it for the game tying goal. Ray DiLauro and O'Nabigon would be given assists on the goal. The Mavs held off a final push by Wichita and forced the game into overtime.

The Thunder owned overtime, amassing four shots in the five minute extra period. Several attempts went off the side of the net and goaltender Robby Nolan stopped two breakaway attempts in the additional frame. The Mavs could only come up with one shot on goal in the overtime. The two teams remained tied after overtime and the game would go to a shootout. Gelinas stopped all four shooters he faced in the shootout. The Thunder would get goals in the shootout from Robinson and Bobby Hughes to seal the 4-3 victory.

All was not lost for the Mavericks though. By taking the game past regulation, the Mavericks gained a point and now share their spot atop the Turner Conference with the Quad City Mallards. The game was also the Mavericks' tenth sellout of the season and sixth straight home sellout.

The Mavericks finished the night two-for-nine on the power play. This was the second consecutive game in which the Mavs scored multiple power play goals. Wichita was unsuccessful on the power play, going zero-for-four with man power advantages.

The Mavs will head to Wichita tomorrow night to wrap up the home-and-home series. Next week, it's another home-and-home series, this time against the Tulsa Oilers. Missouri heads to the BOK Center in Tulsa on Friday night. They return home to face the Tulsa Oilers next Saturday night before hitting the road again for a Sunday tilt with the Quad City Mallards. Tickets are available at the Independence Events Center Box Office, by calling (800) 745-3000 or visiting www.TicketMaster.com . Visit www.MissouriMavericks.com for more information.

Check out the Kansas City Mavericks Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Central Hockey League message board...

Central Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2011


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.

OurSports Central