Mavs win 5-2 on Kids Day

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News

Kansas City Mavericks coach Tad O'Had has been talking about the importance of getting off to hot start in the first period of his team's ECHL games.

Just two minutes and 19 seconds into Wednesday morning's annual Kids Day game at    Cable Dahmer Arena, Landon McCallum scored the first of two goals for the Mavericks.

That set off a wave of excitement as more than 5,814 metro area elementary school students reached 106 decibels on the scoreboard and the Mavericks rewarded them with a 5-2 victory over the Iowa Steelheads.

Coach Tad O'Had had been stressing the importance of getting off to a good start - which his team didn't do in recent back-to-back losses, and by the time the first 20 minutes of action were complete, the Mavericks had a 4-0 lead.

"We've been struggling in the first period, and that was addressed at practice this week," said McCallum, who finished with two goals and an assist. "We got off to the great start, the kids kept the energy level high and Jack's back in net - and that is huge."

Jack LaFontaine was called back to Kansas City, after spending some time with the team's AHL affiliate Coachella Valley, earlier this week and stood tall in the net - stopping 20 of 22 shots while winning his third ECHL game.

"Jack is such a goalie," McCallum added. "We got him that early lead and we knew he wasn't going to allow Idaho to get back in the game. He's great in the net and in our locker room. It gives a team so much confidence to have a goalie like Jack."

When asked about his hectic off-ice schedule this week, LaFontaine grinned and said, "Welcome to pro hockey."

"A lot of flying this week, but it wasn't as distraction. I love this game and I love everything that goes into it. I got to practice with the boys Tuesday, then played today at 10:35 a.m.

"And the crowd, the kids - unbelievable. It was LOUD! Credit to the kids. They kept things lively all morning."

Following McCallum's first goal, Luke Loheit scored at 10:43 to make it a 2-0 game. Bobo Carpenter then scored the first of his two goals at 10:43 and added a second with just 29 seconds left in the first period.

"The guys have been working hard the past two days in practice," O'Had said, after the Mavericks improved to 5-3.

"And we've been stressing the importance of a good start. We had a great first period and followed with two solid periods. And a lot of guys contributed.

"And having Jack in the net gives our team added confidence. He's rock steady and a great leader."

The Steelheads cut into the Mavericks lead on Jordan Steinmetz's goal at 4:34 of the second period. Tulsa scored a second goal at 1:28 of the third period, but could not find the back of the net the rest of the game."

This was the first of a three-games series this week as the Mavericks host the Steelheads Friday and Saturday nights.

"This is like a three-game mini series, and we got a win in Game 1," O'Had said. "Now, we need to go out and take care of business Friday and Saturday."
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Kansas City Mavericks goaltender Jack LaFontaine skates off the ice following a 5-2 Kids Day victory at Cable Dahmer Arena. LaFontaine, who recently returned to the Mavericks following some time with the team's AHL affiliate, Coachella, stopped 20 of 22 shots on goal and improved to 3-0 on the season. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

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