Mavericks continue post season run Thursday night

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

While the Mavericks and Toledo did not play in the 2024-2025 regular season, Kansas City won this same series from the Walleye 4-2 in last year's playoff series.

"We haven't seen them since last season, so you know they're going to be ready to go - looking for revenge and getting a win at our place," said forward Max Andreev, who had two goals in Kansas City's 6-0 victory over Tahoe in the Mavericks sweep of the Knight Monsters in the Mountain Division Finals.

"And we know what to expect from Toledo. There's a reason they've been in the playoffs the past five seasons. Coach has us ready to go, and I think you can tell from today's practice, we're ready to go, too."

The Mavericks eliminated Tulsa and Tahoe in the divisional series while the Walleye defeated Indy and Fort Wayne to advance to the Kelly Cup semifinals.

"Today was a spirited practice," O'Had said. "You've watched us this season, and the way we practiced today is the way we played against Tulsa and Toledo.

"What can you say about that series with Toledo?" asked O'Had, after the Mavericks outscored the Knight Monsters 17-4 and did not allow an even-series goal. "Wow! When I think of that series, I think of consistency."

​He then added a metaphor that summed up regular and postseason series.

"Our team is like a Coke can," the coach explained. "When you see a can of Coke, you know what to expect. The product is consistent and never changes. We faced some adversity in the Tulsa series, but I think that led to the way we've played since they beat us 4-2 in the first game. 

"Throughout the two (postseason) season series, you could see our guys' confidence grow game by game. And we want to take that momentum into Thursday's game."

Captain David Cotton, who is tied with Damien Giroux for the postseason lead in scoring with 10 points each, said the Mavericks learned so much from the Game 1 loss to Tulsa.

"Everyone in the room knew we played a good 40 minutes of hockey," Cotton said, "but we didn't play good hockey for 60 minutes and they score three goals in the third period to get the win.

"But we bounced back. That loss made us realize the importance of playing three solid periods - and that's what we've done - especially in our series against Tahoe."

Cotton grinned when asked about the spirited practice earlier in the week.

"This is the time of year you love to play hockey," Cotton said. "We can't wait to get to the rink. And when you look at the past two series, it was a total team effort. Laffer (goaltender Jack Lafontaine) has been playing out of his mind, and we all want to reward him for his effort by giving him 100 percent every time we are on the ice."

LaFontaine is tied for the ECHL lead in playoff wins (8) and leads the pack in shutouts (4). He has an 8-2 playoff record and enters Thursday's game with a 1.28 goals against average.

Both O'Had and LaFontaine said there is no reason to fear mental or physical anguish, despite LaFontaine starting all 10 playoff games. 

"This is the postseason, this where we want to be," LaFontaine said. "I'm focused and ready for Thursday. We're home and we can't wait to play in front of our fans."O'Had added, "Laffer's a gamer. Goalies play all of their playoff games in the NHL. Florida's goalie (Cam Johnson, who is 8-1 with a 1.58 goals against average) never misses a game. And Jack is so consistent, he knows how to take care of himself on and off the ice and his teammates have so much respect for him. You know they're going all they can do help our team get another win."

Cade Borchardt, who led the ECHL in goals (40) and a plus-minus rank of plus-43, leads Kansas City with seven playoff goals. He is third in team scoring with eight points.

"We're really playing good hockey now," Borchardt said. "We're home, we're looking forward to playing in front of our fans - they're the best in the league - and we're ready for anything Toledo throws at us."
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Kansas City captain David Cotton has scored 10 points this postseason to lead a potent Mavericks offense into their 7:05 p.m. Western Conference Championship Series opener against the Toledo Walleye at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Eli Ralls
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Kansas City forward Max Andreev scored two goals in Kansas City's 6-0 win Saturday at Toledo, setting up a 7:05pm Western Conference Championship Series opener against the Toledo Walleye at Cable           Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Eli Ralls