INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – The league-leading Missouri Mavericks dominated the Wichita Thunder with a 7-1 win in their final game of 2015 at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena on New Year’s Eve. The Mavs perfect home record improves to 12-0-0-0 with the standout victory over their long-time rival.
The Thunder took a quick jump on the Mavericks, scoring a top-shelf tally just 1:42 into play. Mason Baptisa was credited with the goal, assisted by Michael Neal and Joey Sides.
Wichita net-minder Grant Rollheiser’s night ended early, as he was unexpectedly replaced between the pipes by goaltender, David Shantz. The Mavs took quick advantage, scoring directly off a face-off in the Wichita zone to tie the game 1-1 at 6:25. Rocco Carzo scored the equalizer with a lone assist from Carter Verhaeghe.
The Mavs expanded on their lead over the Thunder at 10:56 when David deKastrozza landed his fourth goal of the season with the help of defenseman Bryce Aneloski and rookie forward Tanner Fritz.
With under one minute to play in the opening period, Wichita’s Andrew Huff was sent to the penalty box for hooking, giving the Mavericks their first power-play opportunity of the night. Missouri’s Andrew Courtney made quick use of the man-advantage situation, scoring thirty seconds into the power-play to give the Mavs a 3-1 lead over the Thunder before the next of the period.
The Mavericks dominated the second frame, keeping the Thunder to just 4 shots on goal while the Mavs themselves launched a relentless attack on Shantz with 17 opportunities by the end of the period. Not even a short-handed situation could stop Missouri’s efforts as Tanner Fritz caught twine just 8 seconds into a penalty to David deKastrozza. Fellow rookie center, Colin Markison was credited with the helper on the play.
A 4-1 lead was not near enough for the Mavericks, and one goal was not enough for Andrew Courtney, who tallied his second lamp-lighter of the night at 9:12, aided by one of the newest additions to the team, Reed Seckel. Carter Verhaeghe topped-off the frame, 6-1, with his own tally at 14:20 with the help of Fritz andPatrick Cullity.
Missouri’s final scoring play of 2015 came with five minutes left in regulation as Reed Seckel notched the seventh goal of the night against David Shantz. Courtney and Sebastien Sylvestre assisted on the play.
Josh Robinson maintained a solid game through the remainder of regulation in-goal for the Mavs, though he was only met with 14 more shots attempts from the Thunder after their opening goal. His record remains perfect at home, and overall improves to 15-0-0-1 on the season with a 1.61 GAA and a .934 SV%.
The Mavs play their next game at home on New Year’s Day when the Allen Americans come to town for a 4:10p.m. contest at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.
With Missouri Mavericks team release
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