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ECHL Kansas City Mavericks

Missouri Falls 3-1 to Allen Americans

November 14, 2014 - ECHL (ECHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


Independence, MO - The Missouri Mavericks (4-4-0-0) saw their three-game win streak come to an end as they fell to the Allen Americans (4-3-0-0) by a 3-1 score at the Independence Events Center on Friday night.

Kellan Tochkin scored for the third straight game for the Mavericks and Jack Combs scored a pair of goals and had an assist leading the offense for Allen. Combs now leads the Americans with six goals on the season.

"We got off to a slow start tonight," said Missouri Head Coach Richard Matvichuk. "Our own mistakes are what is costing us games and we have to be more disciplined and stay out of the penalty box. And when on the power play we have to shoot the puck more and get in the spots that will give us a better chance to score."

Riley Gill stopped 28 of 29 shots in net for Allen improving to 2-2 on the season and Mike Clemente was sharp despite the loss turning away 33 of 35 shots. The Mavs goalie falls to 2-3 on the season.

After a first period that saw numerous chances but no success, the Americans stole the lead with Combs scoring his first of the night with just 13 seconds remaining in the opening period. Trevor Ludwig and Justin Baker earned the assists as Allen dominated the shot board in the first frame by an 18-7 count. Clemente made several highlight reel saves keeping his club in the game.

"Both goalies played very well tonight," said Matvichuk. "Mike gave us a chance to win but we just did not get enough offense going to get the win."

Newcomer Devin DiDiomete introduced himself to the home fans in the first period dropping the gloves with his former teammate, Brett Lyon. DiDiomete was acquired from Allen via trade earlier in the week.

Missouri bounced back early in the second period with Kellan Tochkin's fourth goal of the season scored at the 1:36 mark. For Tochkin, all of his goals on the season have come in the team's last three games and this one tied the game at one goal apiece. Alex Velischek grabbed the lone helper.

The Americans would regain the lead at the 4:36 mark of the second period with Combs' second of the game, assisted by Jamie Schaafsma and Chad Costello.

Missouri outshot the Americans 12-9 (Mavs trailed 27-19 in the game) in the middle period but trailed 2-1 after 40 minutes.

In the third period, the teams went back and forth with both goaltenders putting in impressive showings. Missouri outshot Allen 10-9 in the period but Gill was perfect with 10 saves.

With 3:48 remaining in regulation, the Mavs went on the power play with one last chance to tie the game and had a couple great chances but Gill stood strong maintaining the lead for Allen and at the tail-end of the power play, David Rutherford was whistled for a hook making the Mavs comeback task that much more difficult.

Allen put the exclamation point on the win with an empty-net goal from Gary Steffes, assisted by Combs, that officially counted as a power play goal putting the Americans 1 for 7 in the game (Missouri finished 0 for 6 on the power play).

Allen outshot Missouri in the game 36-29.

Sebastien Thinel saw his six-game point streak come to an end (scored three goals with five assists during his hot stretch) and the Mavericks were without defenseman Scott Langdon who was serving the first of a two-game suspension (will miss tomorrow's game in Tulsa as well).

Missouri hits the road for back-to-back games in Tulsa on Saturday night and in Wichita on Sunday.

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