Mavericks advance to Conference Finals with sweep of Evansville

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The Missouri Mavericks are in the Turner Conference Finals for the first time in their three-year history after completing a four-game sweep of the Evansville IceMen in the Turner Conference Opening Round with a 3-1 victory Monday night at Independence Events Center. Mavericks’ goaltender Charlie Effinger was spectacular in net, stopping 39 of 40 shots by Evansville, including a sprawling save in the final moments of the game to prevent a game-tying goal by Evansville. John-Scott Dickson registered two points on the night with a goal and an assist in the win and Tristin Llewellyn notched his team-leading fifth postseason point with the game-winning goal in the second period. The Mavericks now head to the Conference Finals and will face either the Rapid City Rush or Fort Wayne Komets for a chance to advance to the Ray Miron President’s Cup Finals. John-Scott Dickson opened up the scoring two minutes into regulation, taking a pass from the corner and shooting it past Pier-Olivier Pelletier, putting the Mavs up 1-0. Ryan Jardine and Brandon Coccimiglio were given assists on the goal. Tristin Llewellyn continued his playoff points tear, doubling the Mavs lead with 8:03 remaining in the first period. Sebastien Thinel and Dickson assisted on the goal. The Mavericks and IceMen finished the period all even in the shot total with 12 apiece.

The two teams went scoreless in the second period, with the Mavericks outshooting Evansville 16-13. The IceMen drew within one goal with nine minutes remaining in regulation, on a goal from Todd Robinson. Evansville nearly tied the game when Matt Gens collected a loose puck on the right side. With a wide open net, Gens fired it towards the cage, but goaltender Charlie Effinger sprawled out, kicking his left leg out and prevented the potential game-tying goal with less than five minutes to play. The IceMen pulled Pier-Olivier Pelletier with a minute and a half remaining in regulation and peppered Effinger with shots in the waning moments. Sebastien Thinel collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and swept the puck into the empty cage, sealing the 3-1 victory and series victory for Missouri. Effinger finished the night with 39 saves on 40 shots and improved his playoff save percentage to .957. Tristin Llewellyn notched his team-leading fifth post-season point with the eventual game-winning goal. The Mavericks will play the winner of the Rapid City Rush/Fort Wayne Komets series, which is currently tied at 1-1. Contact comments@prohockeynews.com