Mavericks end season on down note

WEST VALLEY CITY, UT — The Missouri Mavericks end their 2016-17 season with a 5-3 loss to the Utah Grizzlies.

The Mavericks struck early in the first period, Dane Fox found the net on an unassisted shot at 6:10 into the frame. This was his 34th goal of the season. Just 29 seconds later, at 6:39, Fox appeared to score another goal, but the referee disallowed the addition. The Mavericks went into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.

Utah knotted the score at 1:36 into the second with a goal from Jon Puskar. Missouri quickly struck back with a goal from Matt Robertson, his second in two games. Jesse Graham and Conner Bleackley both added assists to their sheets. Utah then lit the lamp at 5:40 and 6:38 of the second period with goals from Erik Bradford and C.J. Eick, respectively. Utah held the lead for the first time at 3-2 headed into the third.

Conner Bleackley scored at just 58 seconds into the third period to knot the score at three. Dane Fox received apple number 42 of the season. C.J. Eick batted the puck out of mid-air to net his second goal of the game at 9:19 to take a 4-3 lead for the Grizzlies. Tim Daly solidified the victory for Utah with a goal at 13:44 to increase the score to 5-3.

Notable moments during 2016-17:

Dane Fox set a new Missouri Mavericks season point total record, recording 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) bringing his season total and the new record to 76 points.