Mavericks bring playoff run back to KC

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News
​

TULSA, Okla. - Welcome to the tense, exciting roller-coaster-ride that is the ECHL Mountain Division semifinal series between the Kansas City Mavericks and Tulsa Oilers.

The Oilers won Game 1, before the Mavericks won the next three games, to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

The Mavericks had all the momentum they needed following a 2-0 victory over the Oilers Thursday night at BOK Center, but the never-say-die Oilers rebounded from that shutout to down the Mavericks 4-1 Friday night at home.

The Mavericks hold a 3-2 lead heading into the 7:05 p.m. Monday series that returns to Cable Dahmer Arena.
As coach Tad O'Had warned early in the series, following his Mavericks Game 1 loss, "It's a best-of-seven series, not a best-of-one series, and we're anticipating a challenging series."

Jack LaFontaine has been in the net for each game for the Mavericks. He recorded his first-ever postseason shutout and is 3-2 with a 1.73 goals against average and a .933 save percentage.

"In a series like this, you just take them one game at a time," LaFontaine said. "You don't want to get too high, or too low. I know the guys playing in front of me are the best, and we're looking for a big win back in Kansas City."

Last Thursday, Marcus Crawford put Kansas City on the board in the first period at 8:54, scoring off assists from Jackson Berezowski and David Cotton.After a scoreless second frame, Justin MacPherson gave LaFontaine some breathing room with a goal at 8:36, assisted by Max Andreev.

LaFontaine stopped all 29 shots he faced in earning the milestone victory.

Despite out-shooting Tulsa 42-26 Friday night, the Mavericks couldn’t overcome a strong night from goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets, who made 41 saves in the win.After a scoreless first period, Tyler Poulson opened the scoring at 8:21 of the second period to give Tulsa a 1-0 lead. The Oilers struck again just 1:31 into the third with a goal from Conner Roulette, followed by tallies from Drew Elliott (11:38)and Poulson (19:21) to seal the win.

Captain David Cotton scored the lone Mavericks goal at 16:59 of the third period, assisted by Casey Carreau and Marcus Crawford.

LaFontaine made 22 saves for the Mavericks.

"LaFontaine has been outstanding in this series, we just need to give him a little more (offensive) support," O'Had said. "The hardest thing to do in the playoffs is win that close out game, and we have a chance to get that done Monday at home."

Kansas City Mavericks goaltender Jack LaFontaine recorded his first postseason shutout last Thursday in a 2-0 victory over the Tulsa Oilers. The Oilers rebounded with a 4-1 victory at BOK Center Friday night to bring the Mountain Division semifinals back to Cable Dahmer Arena, where the Mavericks will host Tulsa at 7:05 p.m. Monday. The Mavericks hold a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Photo credit: The Kansas City Mavericks
​