Huge win for Mavericks

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

What do Cade Borchardt, Jack LaFontaine and Jimmy Glynn all have in common?
 
This trio of Kansas City Mavericks were part of a 5-0 milestone victory over the Rapid City Rush Wednesday night at Cable Dahmer Arena.
 
Moments after the Mavericks blanked the Rapid City, with LaFontaine stopping all 25 shots on goal, coach Tad O'Had made an announcement in the locker room.

"This is a milestone night," O'Had said. "We are the only team in the history of the ECHL to have three different goalies record three shutouts apiece. I think we have the best goaltenders in the league - we prove it game in and game out."

LaFontaine, who has spent time with the Mavericks' AHL affiliate Coachella Valley, picked up his fourth shutout with the win over the Rush. 

Rookie Noah West, another one of O'Had and associate coach Riley Weselowski's year-end finds is 5-0 with three shutouts and a microscopic 1.38 goals against average and Victor Ostman, who has spent much of the season with Coachella, along with some time with the NHL's Seattle Kraken, also has three shutouts with Kansas City and is 21-7-4 with a 2.52 goals against average.

On a night filled with milestones, the Mavericks clinched first place in the Mountain Division, saw rookie Jimmy Glynn score his first professional goal and welcome back team scoring leader Borchardt, who made a dramatic return with two goals and two assists against the Rush.

The sizzling Mavericks improved to 45-17-4-1 and are 8-2 in their last 10 games.

"Cade is the league MVP," O'Had said. "His first night back, after spending some time with Coachella, and look at what he did tonight. He's just two goals away from tying our all-time (ECHL) goals record (of 39) set by Patrick Curry (last season).

"Cade gives it everything he has every time he is on the ice. He was just incredible tonight."

Borchardt said he was thrilled to be back with the Mavericks and looks forward to the upcoming playoffs.

"Look, it's a win/win situation for me, whether I am with Coachella or here in Kansas City, I will do all I can to help the teams win," said Borchardt, who has 37 goals, 31 assists and 68 points in just 54 games.

"I'm excited to be back in Kansas City. I love this team, and have a bad taste in my mouth from the way last season ended (with a loss to Florida in the Kelly Cup championship series). It was funny, when I got back I had to introduce myself to eight new players in the locker room.

"Tad and Riley go out and get quality players at the end of the season, and those players make us a better team."

One of those new players in Glynn, who scored his first professional goal against the Rush.

"I was coming off the ice and my phone all these text messages and calls," Glynn said. "I'm going to call my girlfriend and mom and dad and talk about the big win and my first goal. I never expected anything like this to happen - playing on a championship-caliber team that has a great culture and support system - and I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Borchardt got the Mavericks on the scoreboard when he scored at 6:39 of the second period. Three minutes later another newcomer, rookie Nathan Dunkley scored the first of his two goals to give the Mavericks a 2-0 lead at 9:46.

Glynn wrapped up the big offensive period by scoring at 16:20.

"It's exciting to play with the young guys and see them score their first goal (Glynn) and have a two-goal night (Dunkley)," Borchardt said.

Borchardt scored his second goal at 5:50 of the third period and Dunkley scored a short-handed goal to wrap up Kansas City's offense for the night.

Borchardt, who is cooler than the other side of a pillow, improved to 18-8 and lowered his goals against average to 2.52.

"Offense, defense, everything just worked tonight and we played one of our best games of the season," LaFontaine said. "We want to finish strong with our final two games at home (Friday and Saturday nights) and our series in Idaho.

"We've talked about this, this season, and I'm an hour to hour guy. I'm excited about the playoffs, but we want to finish strong in the regular season. The playoffs are going anywhere and we're going to be ready when they start."
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Kansas City goaltender Jack LaFontaine is greeted by his teammates after a 5-0 win over Rapid City. It was LaFontaine’s fourth shutout of the season. Photo credit: Bill Althaus