ECHL Game Recap: Idaho Steelheads vs Kansas City Mavericks | 03/07/2025

Friday night, the Kansas City Mavericks faced the Idaho Steelheads at home at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri, for the second time this season, hoping to secure a win after the Steelheads shut out the Mavericks 5-0 on Wednesday night. The Mavericks were seeking revenge and two points to add to their Mountain Division standings. Jack LaFontaine was starting again in net for the Mavericks, with a 2.33 goals against average (GAA) and a 0.909 save percentage (SV%) after conceding five goals in Wednesday’s game. Ben Kraws would start in goal again for the Steelheads, with a 3.17 GAA and a 0.903 SV%.

First Period

The first period was off to a slow start as both teams battled for puck possession in the neutral zone. The Mavericks eventually scored first when Cade Borchardt netted a goal, assisted by Casey Carreau and Thomas Farrell.

A little over a minute later, the Steelheads found the back of the net with a goal by Connor Punnett, ending the period with a tied score of 1-1.

Second Period

The second period was more explosive, with more penalties and points than the first. The period’s first goal came after a hooking penalty by the Steelheads’ Trevor Zins led to a power-play goal for the Mavericks’ Damien Giroux, assisted by Zack Trott and Justin MacPherson.

Not to be outdone, the Steelheads’ Hank Crone scored on a power-play goal resulting from a high-sticking call on the Mavericks’ Luke Loheit.

Things were getting heated, and a fight broke out between the Steelheads’ Nick Canade and the Mavericks’ Jackson Berezowski after a high-sticking call on Canade, which led to an unsuccessful Mavericks power play and five minutes in the penalty box for both players. At the end of the period, the score favored the Steelheads 3-2.

Third Period

The third period was no less nail-biting than the second, with the Mavericks down one to start the period. Three minutes in, the Steelheads widened the point gap further with a goal by Patrick Moynihan. Ten minutes into the period, a high-sticking double minor penalty (4 minutes) was called on the Mavericks’ Cade Borchardt, leading to a power-play goal for the Steelheads, resulting in another goal for Patrick Moynihan. Shortly after, the Steelheads’ Connor Punnett was called for a tripping minor, but the Mavericks could not capitalize on that opportunity. As things continued to heat up, a cross-checking major penalty (five minutes) for the Mavericks’ Daniel Amesbury led to a Steelheads’ goal by Ty Pelton-Byce. Despite outshooting the Steelheads 35-30, the Mavericks were unable to convert their chances into goals, ultimately losing 2-6.

Standings

Despite losing two games in a row, the Mavericks remain first in the Mountain Division. They hold a five-point lead over the second-place team, the Tulsa Oilers. The Mavericks are also second in the Western Conference, just one point behind the Toledo Walleye.