Mavericks edge Utah Wednesday night

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

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A trio of new additions to the Kansas City Mavericks - rookies Noah West, Nathan Dunkley and Zack Trott - are living the dream.
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Their story is so unique, it seems like part of a Hollywood script. But it's all true. 

Their play has helped the Kansas City Mavericks win their last four games, including a 2-1 thriller Wednesday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. 

West, the Kansas City Mavericks rookie goaltender, who improved to 3-0 in three starts, has a story to tell.

And it's worth listening to.

In what seems more like a script from a movie, West's introduction to professional hockey interrupted breakfast with his girlfriend and resulted in a whirlwind weekend that saw him earn back-to-back victories while the Mavericks completed a three-game series of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in Greenville, S.C.

"Last week was crazy," said West, who stopped 19 of 20 shots on goal Wednesday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. "I went out to get breakfast for me and my girlfriend and I got a call from my agent. He wanted to know if I could get to Greenville.

"After I found out the Mavericks needed a goalie, I was excited. I let my girlfriend know about the call, and then I got a call from Coach Riley (Weselowski), who made the arrangements for my flight.

"I arrived in Greenville at 5:30 p.m. and Coach Rob (Couturier) picked me up and we made it to the stadium right before the game. I sat on the bench, watched the guys win, then was in goal Saturday and Sunday and we got two wins. And tonight, I was in goal for win No. 3.

"The more I think about this, the more it seems like a movie."

West is 3-0 with a microscopic 1.94 goals against average.

"West is a great young goaltender who has already made an impact on our team," coach Tad O'Had said after his Mavericks improved to 40-16-4-1. "He's a proven winner. He played in 35 games last season at Ferris State College (in Rapid City, Mich., after playing three years at Michigan).

"What's so cool about the last four wins is that our young guys are making such an impact. They've all stepped it up and we're really playing well."

Speaking of the young guys, rookies Nathan Dunkley and Zack Trott made sure West picked up win No. 3 by scoring the tying and winning goals, respectively.

"One of the best things about this team is the culture," said Trott, who has five points in his last three games. "That comes from Coach Tad and Coach Riley and the veterans on the team. We've all be welcomed with open arms, and I feel comfortable when I'm out on the ice because we're all on the same page. We have a lot of chemistry when you think about all the new players we have."

Like Trott, Dunkley is thrilled to be a part of the Mavericks' recent success.

"There are so many good things happening right now, and I think it all goes back to our team culture," Dunkley said. "That comes straight from the top, with Coach O'Had and Coach Weselowski.

"They, along with the veterans on the team, welcomed us and made us feel comfortable. We've won four in a row and we need to keep our foot on the pedal and keep this streak going."

Trailing 1-0 after one period, Dunkley tied the game 1-1 at 19:01 of the second period.

Trott scored the game winner at 11:17 of period No. 3.

"We're proud of the job Noah has done in his three starts," Trott added. "He deserved to win this game. And it's great to win at home. I heard from the guys we have the best fans, and all found out tonight that that's right. We got a lot of energy from our fans.

A crowd of 3,429 attended the game on a cold, wet night in Independence. 

Rookie Zack Trott scored the game winner at 11:17 in the third period. Photo courtesy Kansas City Mavericks