Mavs win Star Wars game

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


The Force was with the Mavericks as they took an early 2-0 lead but needed Crawford's 300th career goal to improve to 8-5 on the season in front of 5,790 fans.

LaFontaine improved to 6-0 with 1.81 goals against average. He stopped 32 of 34 shots against the Thunder. 
"First, I'm happy for Craw (Crawford), he's played here a long time and it's great that he scored the game winner when the house full tonight," the personable LaFontaine said.

"This was a big win. I know it's early in the season, but we had a disappointing (6-3) loss against them Friday night, and we came out played the type of hockey we're capable of and we got the big win."

Luke Loheit scored the Mavericks first goal at 3:29 of the first period and Bobo Carpenter added a goal with 1:05 left on the clock.

"I really liked the way we started," coach Tad O'Had said. "We really needed a win after Friday night's loss. Tonight, we got some breaks and showed a lot of poise and played our game. We didn't do much in the second period, but we came out strong in the third period."

Wichita's Kirby Proctor scored the lone goal of the second period making it a 2-1 game going into the final 20 minutes of action.

Crawford scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 12:06 of the third period as Wichita's Lucas Vanroboys cut the deficit to 3-2 at 16:07.

"I've been fortunate enough to have a great career, and I'm proud most of my goals and points came here with the Mavericks," Crawford said. "And to have my 300th career point be the game winner in a 3-2 win over one of our biggest rivals on a sold-out night - well, I couldn't have written a better script."

Jackson Jutting assisted on Crawford's 300th goal and shared his teammate's excitement.

"I'm super excited to be a part of Marcus' game winner," Jutting said. "He's a role model and leader on our team. If you want to know how to play Mavericks hockey, just watch Marcus. He's a force defensively and offensively on the ice."

Nearly lost in the excitement of Crawford's game winner was the brilliance of LaFontaine.

"Jack's one of the best goaltenders in this league, he's a rock," O'Had said.

Crawford added, "It's an honor to play in front of a guy like Jack. We're confident that we're going win a game if we get two or three goals and Jack is in the net."

Kansas City will be back on home ice Thursday at 7 p.m., for their fourth straight game against the Thunder. The game will feature a Black Friday theme. The Mavericks have won two of the first three games against Wichita.
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Jack LaFontaine starred in the net and Marcus Crawford's milestone goal proved to be the game winner as the Kansas City Mavericks edged Wichita 3-2 at a sold-out Star Wars game Saturday night at Cable Dahmer Arena. Photo credit: Kansas City Mavericks​