The Kansas City Mavericks met up with the Utah Grizzlies again on Friday night at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, Missouri, for game two of a three-game series. The Mavericks have won five out of the last eight matchups against the Grizzlies this season. Jack LaFontaine started in net for the Mavericks, boasting a 2.49 goals-against average (GAA) and a .904 save percentage (SV%) heading into Friday night’s game. Starting in net for the Grizzlies was Jake Barczewski, with a 3.52 GAA and a .903 SV% so far this season.
First Period
Both teams played a structured opening 20 minutes, with few quality scoring chances and strong goaltending. Kansas City’s Jack LaFontaine and Utah’s Jake Barczewski were sharp, each keeping the game scoreless. KC outshot Utah 12–7 in the period, but neither side found the net.
Second Period
The second period brought more action than the first, with the Mavericks firing 17 shots on goal and scoring twice, while the Grizzlies responded with 13 shots and one goal. The Grizzlies’ first goal came from Briley Wood seven minutes into the period, assisted by Matt Araujo and Luke Manning. The Mavericks’ first goal was scored by Chase Brand 17 minutes in, his third of the season since joining the team at the end of January, assisted by Drake Burgin and Nolan Sullivan. The Mavericks’ second goal came on a power play, with Casey Carreau finding the back of the net just before the buzzer, assisted by Marcus Crawford and David Cotton.
The Mavericks held a 2-1 lead at the end of the period.
Third Period
The third period was just as action-packed as the second. The Grizzlies’ Reed Lebster scored a power-play goal six minutes into the period, assisted by Keaton Mastrodonato and Derek Daschke, tying the score at 2-2. With under three minutes left in the period, Drake Burgin broke the tie, assisted by Nathan Dunkley and Jack LaFontaine.
Since joining the Mavericks last week, Burgin has scored two goals and made two assists. As the Grizzlies pushed to tie the game, they pulled their goalie, giving the Mavericks a chance to capitalize on the empty net. David Cotton scored the empty-net goal with three seconds on the clock.
Despite the loss, Utah’s Jake Barczewski turned aside 28 of the 31 shots he faced. Jack LaFontaine stopped 33 out of 35 shots, helping lead his team to a 4-2 victory.
Standings
The Mavericks remain in first place in the Mountain Division, eight points ahead of the second-place Tahoe Knight Monsters. The Mavericks are back in first place in the Western Conference, trailing only the Toledo Walleye, who have clinched a playoff position. The Mavericks will meet the Grizzlies again on Saturday night for the final game of the season.
Three Stars of The Game
- Drake Burgin (KC) – 1G, 1A
- Casey Carreau (KC) – 1G (GWG)
- Chase Brand (KC) – 1G
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