ALLEN, TX – The Missouri Mavericks entered game five on Sunday afternoon at the Allen Event Center with their backs to the wall, in a must-win situation and dominated the Allen Americans to force a game six, back on their home ice on Tuesday night.
Things didn’t start out looking good for Missouri when Greger Hanson fired a snapshot past Josh Robinson giving the Americans the early 1-0 lead at 4:33 of the opening frame. That good feeling for Allen was short-lived as from that point on, the momentum went all Missouri’s way. The Mavericks battled relentlessly at both ends of the ice, winning crucial puck battles, keeping Allen off balance and unable to get their own offensive game going.
Missouri’s hard work paid crucial dividends in the remaining 40 minutes, netting three unanswered goals before the end of regulation while blanking Allen. First it was Carter Verhaeghe bringing the game level with his goal at 5:30 of the second period, then late in the frame Rocco Carzo got one past Riley Gill to put the Mavericks up 2-1 by the second intermission.
Allen’s Spencer Asuchak (left), and Missouri’s Ross Johnston butt heads during the Mavs’ sunday afternoon win in Allen / Photo by Kimberly Sauer (PHN)
Near the midway point of the third period, Missouri capped their scoring on a goal by Ross Johnston to give the Mavs a two goal lead at 3-1 where it would stay through the balance of regulation. Neither team able to capitalize with the man advantage, Allen went 0-6 on the power play while Missouri closely followed at 0-4.
The Americans lead the best-of-seven ECHL Kelly Cup Western Conference Semi-Final series 3-2 and the teams now head back to Missouri for game six and if necessary, game seven on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Game six is set for Tuesday night at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena with the puck drop scheduled for 7:05PM CDT.
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer: Kimberly.Sauer@prohockeynews.com
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