RAPID CITY, S.D. — The Missouri Mavericks defeated the Rapid City Rush 3-1 on Saturday evening at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, splitting their weekend road series with the Rush and earning a total of 3 points atop the ECHL standings.
The Mavericks league-leading record improves to 28-3-1-1 (58 points) with their latest victory.
Net-minder Josh Robinson made 27 saves through a full 60 minutes in-goal for Missouri, conversely, Rush goaltender Danny Battochio’s night ended early, relieved by teammate Sam Marotta after allowing 3 Mavericks’ goals in their first 6:38 of the game.
Rocco Carzo opened the scoreboard for Missouri early at 2:29 with the help of Jesse Root. Carzo’s fifth goal of the season was followed-up just 34 seconds later by Andrew Courtney’s eleventh tally for the Mavs. Sebastien Sylvestre and defenseman Trevor Ludwig assisted on the play to give Missouri a 2-0 lead at 3:03.
The Mavs last goal of the frame, and the game, would be served up via rookie Scott Wamsganz, scoring his first professional goal at 6:38. Reed Seckel and Kane Lafranchise were credited with the helpers.
Missouri held their 3-0 lead through the remainder of the first period, outshooting the Rush 14-8.
A stalemate in the second frame kept the score at 3-0 Mavericks, before the Rush were able to make a mark for the home team on the scoresheet at the top of the third period.
Zach Cohen got the Rush on the board just 1:59 into the final period with a lone assist to defenseman Sean Erickson.
The Rapid City crowd was ignited by the play and the Rush sieged Robinson with every opportunity they could muster through the remainder of regulation, pulling Marotta in the final minutes of play for an extra attacker, but to no avail, as the Mavs 3-1 lead held until the final horn.
Robinson, who was named the Warrior Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Month for his performance in December, owns a 1.61 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage through 19 total games between the pipes for the Mavericks. The Frankenmuth, MI native is 2 wins away from tying the ECHL record for longest single-season win streak by a goaltender (current record held by Jeff Jakaitis, South Carolina, 2014-15, 16 wins).
The Mavericks are on the road for their next 3 games, traveling first to visit the Wichita Thunder on Tuesday, Jan. 12th before they make their first trip to face the Colorado Eagles since joining the ECHL for the weekend of Jan. 15th.
The Mavs return home to Silverstein Eye Centers Arena to celebrate Mac’s (mascot) Birthday on Friday, Jan. 22nd! Join in on the fun and enjoy the company of special mascot guests and a youth hockey/mascot broom ball game during the first intermission of the game.
With Missouri Mavericks release
You must be logged in to post a comment.