Mavericks come from behind to claim 5-3 win

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


Coach Tad O'Had's never-say-die Kansas City Mavericks were scoreless in the first two periods of the first ECHL Ron Kelly Cup championship series Sunday afternoon at Cable Dahmer Arena.

In an explosive third period the Mavericks scored five goals to claim a 5-3 come-from-behind victory in a game that resonated with all the aspects that make playoff hockey so enjoyable.

The Knight Monsters, who have a 40 percent success rate on their power play in the playoffs, scored three power-play goals and led by the scores of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before Kansas City's offense exploded in the final 20 minutes of play.

Casey Carreau tied the game at 1-1 at :51 of the second period.

Justin MacPherson knotted the score at 2-2 at 5:48 in the third period.

Carreau again scored a tying goal as his lamp lighter made it a 3-3 game at 12:31. That set the stage for Marcus Crawford's game-winning goal at 16:18 of the final frame.

The Knight Monsters pulled goalie Jesper Vikman with 2:33 left in regulation, setting the stage for Cade Borchardt's empty netter - his fifth goal of the postseason.

"That was quite a game, and quite a third period," Borchardt said. "We just kept coming back. This team, I just can't say enough good things about the guys on our team. You saw how much we wanted this win - we never gave up."

Goaltender Jack LaFontaine improved to 5-2 in the postseason with a 1.64 goals against average and .939 save percentage.

"This game just reinforces the respect I have for our guys," coach Tad O'Had said after his Mavericks took a 1-0 lead in the series. "The leadership, the overall character we showed when we answered each one of their goals and the gritty determination we brought to ice were all factors in this win."

Crawford, who has become an offensive defenseman in the postseason, downplayed his role in the victory.

"To win at home, to take a 1-0 lead and to win the way we did was amazing," Crawford said. "We enjoy this tonight and then reset (for Monday's 7:05 p.m.) game. They scored the three power-play goals, but we were better five-on-five, and that's a big reason we won.

"And we did a great job answering each one of their goals - that was impressive."

O'Had said everyone who suited up for the game played a pivotal role in the victory.

"The guys on the bench were amazing," the coach said. "They're cheering on and supporting their teammates out on the ice. And it sounded like we had a full barn. The fans (3,686) who were here we loud and so supportive. It was a great way to open the series."

LaFontaine, who has enjoyed remarkable success in goal for the Mavericks, said he was inspired by his teammates' tenacity.

"It's 1-0, and we tie it 1-1," LaFontaine said. "It's 2-1 and we tie it 2-2 and they lead 3-2 and we tied it again.

The energy out on the ice was incredible. Our third period was so much fun to be a part of. We tie it 3-3 and then Crawford scores the game winner - which he's done a lot in this series.

"Now, we have to focus on our next game. It would be huge to take a 2-0 lead (when the series resumes) at Tahoe, but I'm not looking back our next game. I hope we have as much support from our fans as we have tonight.

“I know Tad and Riley (Weselowski, associate head coach) will watch film, help us clean some things up (on the ice), and we're going to head into Monday's game with all the momentum was had in the third period tonight."

Tahoe's Bear Hughes, left, and Kansas City's Landon McCullum face off in the Mavericks' 5-3 victory over the Knight Monsters in the opening game of the ECHL's Ron Kelly Cup Western Division finals Sunday afternoon at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Eli Ralls

Kansas City's Casey Carreau, center, is congratulated by teammates Cade Borchardt, left, and Damien Giroux following Carreau's second goal of the game. Borchardt and Giroux also scored in the Mavericks' 5-3 victory over the Tahoe Knight Monsters in the first game of the ECHL's Ron Kelly Cup Western Division finals Sunday afternoon at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Eli Ralls 
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