Mavericks shutout Tahoe Monday night

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

Kansas City Mavericks fans have a new way of spelling perfection - L-A-F-O-N-T-A-I-N-E.

Perfection is a word that best describes Jack LaFontaine's performance in a Monday night 3-0 shutout over the Tahoe Knight Monsters in the ECHL Kelly Cup Mountain Division finals.

LaFontaine continues to star in the net for the Mavericks as he stopped all 21 shots he faced while recording his third postseason shutout.

“This might have been our best game of the season,” coach Tad O'Had said. “Our ability to roll four lines out on the ice wears down a team – and that was evident tonight.

“And what can you say about Jack? He's the best goalie during the playoffs and he was one of the best during the regular season.

“He's having a career year. Offense, defense, Jack in goal – everyone got the job done tonight.”

In Sunday's 5-3 victory over Tahoe, the Knight Monsters scored three power-play goals.

Monday, they were 0-for-4.

“Our PK (penalty kill) unit really stepped it up tonight,” O'Had added. “This was a complete-game win.”

After a scoreless first period, rookie Nathan Dunkley got the Mavericks on the board early in the second period, redirecting a Nate Knoepke point shot past Jesper Vikman at 3:49.

“That was big, getting that first goal, getting our fans into the game,” LaFontaine said.

Late in the third, Cade Borchardt made it 2-0 with a wraparound goal that you had to see to believe.

“I saw the goal, and I don't believe it,” LaFontaine said, chuckling. “Not only is Borch a great player, he's a great teammate and leader. He has a heart of gold. You love to see guys like Borch have the type of success he's had this season.”

Cam Morrison sealed the victory with an empty-net goal at 18:27.

“The momentum we carried in this game hit you like a hurricane – waves and waves of success. It was so cool to see everything click, everyone contribute.

“We're taking a 2-0 lead to Tahoe, and that is big. But the toughest game to win in a seven-game series is the last one. So, we're going to keep working hard and hopefully, we will continue to play like we did tonight.”
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Kansas City goaltender Jack LaFontaine, left, is congratulated by defenseman Nate Knoepke following a 3-0 victory over the Tahoe Knight Monsters Monday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Kansas City Mavericks