CHL Kansas City Mavericks

Nolan, Mavs Beat Eagles 3-1

Published on December 17, 2010 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Kansas City Mavericks News Release


LOVELAND, Colo. - The Missouri Mavericks defeated the Colorado Eagles for the first time ever at Budweiser Events Center Friday night, 3-1. Goaltender Robby Nolan stopped 29 of 30 shots and nearly had a shutout and forward Nick Sirota scored a pair of goals for the Mavericks who improved to 12-7-3 on the season. Missouri now sits just one point below the Eagles in the Turner Conference standings. Forward Riley Nelson scored the lone goal for the Eagles with just 2:06 remaining in regulation. The teams will square off again Saturday night at Budweiser Events Center at 8:05 p.m. CST.

"Everybody played hard tonight," said Mavericks' Head coach Scott Hillman. "Obviously a great game by (goaltender) Robby Nolan and we outshot them even though they had seven power plays to our three."

Simon Watson gave the Mavericks the lead just 4:17 into the opening period. Watson came in on a two-on-one rush that got broken up, but Jared Lavender was there to slap a shot from just above the right circle. Watson was in front of the net and redirected the puck past Eagles' goaltender Adam Penner. Missouri killed a pair of power plays to hold on to the lead through one period. Mavericks' goaltender Robby Nolan stopped all eight shots faced and his counterpart, Penner, stopped seven of eight shots in the evenly matched period.

Momentum swayed back and forth in the second frame, but the Mavericks held on to their 1-0 lead after the second 20 minutes. Nolan faced a barrage of chances near the end of the period, but he was equal to the task every time by stopping all nine shots faced in the period.

Missouri opened the final period all over the Eagles' zone. The Mavericks had three quality scoring chances in the first four minutes, but Penner was there to keep it a one-goal game for Colorado. Almost eight minutes into the period, the Mavericks were whistled for two penalties giving Colorado a great opportunity to tie the game. Sirota, Derek Pallardy and Mike Wakita killed the resulting five-on-three power play without a break in the action to keep the Mavericks on top.

At the 15:58 mark of the third, Sirota gave Missouri a 2-0 lead when he came down the right wing, faked a slap shot to get the goaltender out of position and snapped the puck into the open net. He was assisted by Bill Vandermeer and the goal turned out to be the game winner. Sirota went to the penalty box directly after for slashing, and Missouri was whistled for too many men on the ice at the 17:41 mark giving the Eagles another five-on-three power play.

Nelson scored for Colorado on the ensuing power play to cut the lead to 2-1 and ending Nolan's bid for a shutout with just 2:06 remaining in the game. Missouri was still shorthanded in the final minute of the game, but Sirota put the game out of reach when he took a pass from Olivier Filion on a two-on-one and beat Penner to make it 3-1.

Missouri outshot the Eagles 31-30 in the game despite having three power plays compared to seven for the Eagles. The Mavericks finished 0-for-3 on the power play and killed six of seven chances for Colorado.

The Mavericks stay in Colorado for another tilt Saturday night against the Eagles. Missouri will return home next week for two games on the December 21 and 23 against Evansville and Quad City respectively. Tuesday night is Carlyle Lewis bobble fists night and Thursday is the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Tickets are still 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.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 17, 2010


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