INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The Missouri Mavericks took a 1-0 series lead with a 3-2 victory over the Evansville IceMen in Game One of the Turner Conference Opening Round Wednesday night at Independence Events Center.
Ed McGrane totaled two points in the victory with a goal and an assist, Ryan Jardine assisted on two goals and Charlie Effinger made 35 saves in the game, stopping all 16 shots by the IceMen in the third period alone.
The Mavericks now travel to Indiana for games two and three on Friday and Saturday at Ford Center in downtown Evansville with a 1-0 series lead. The Mavericks will return home for game four of the series next Monday.
Ed McGrane scored the first goal of the 2012 CHL postseason and the first goal of the series eight and a half minutes into regulation. Ryan Jardine and Tristin Llewellyn assisted on the goal.
Evansville tied the game three minutes later with a goal from Matt Pierce.
Missouri took the lead late in the period when David Pszenyczny took a nice pass from Ed McGrane in the slot and buried it to give the Mavs a 2-1 lead. McGrane and Jardine collected their second points of the game with assists on the goal.
Evansville outshot the Mavericks 12-10 in the first period.
Brandon Smith doubled the Mavericks lead to two goals on a wrist shot from the left-side hashmarks 5:51 into the second period, beating Evansville goaltender Pier-Olivier Pelletier high on the blocker side. Sebastien Thinel got his name on the scoresheet with an assist on the goal.
Evansville drew closer with a goal in the waning moments of the second period on a breakaway goal by Todd Robinson.
The Mavs dominated the shot margin in the period, outshooting Evansville 16-9.
The Mavericks held off the IceMen in the third period for the win and will take a 1-0 lead into game two Friday night in Evansville.
Charlie Effinger stole the show in the third period, stopping all 16 shots by the IceMen in the final 20 minutes of regulation.
The following images were recorded at the Independence Events Center on Wednesday evening.
Playoff signage featuring the photography of Scott Thomas%2C Matt Potter%2C Daniel Russell and Seth Riddle greets fans.
David Simoes (%2326) of the Mavericks checks Evansville%27s Malcom Gwilliam (%2334) off of the puck.
The Mavericks celebrate a goal by Brandon Smith (%234).
Pier-Olivier Pelletier of the Evansville IceMen makes a save.
Charlie Effinger of the Missouri Mavericks makes a save.
Mike Wakita (%238) of the Missouri Mavericks defends against John Ronan (%2317) of the Evansville IceMen.
Charlie Effinger %2331 of the Missouri Mavericks makes a save on a shot from Matt Pierce (%2326) of the Evansville IceMen.
Josh Beaulieu of the Evansville IceMen leaves the ice after the game.
Scott Hillman Head Coach of the Missouri Mavericks leaves the ice after the game.
Mac the mascot of the Missouri Mavericks waves the victory flag after the game.
The Mavericks now travel to Evansville, Indiana for games two and three of the series before returning home next Monday for game four at Independence Events Center.
Contact the photographer at daniel.russell@prohockeynews.com
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