ECHL Western Conference Finals – Game 3 Recap: Kansas City Mavericks vs Toledo Walleye

The Kansas City Mavericks came into Game 3 with their backs against the wall—and played like it. After dropping the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks responded with urgency, scoring five times and riding a red-hot power play to a 5–2 win over the Toledo Walleye. The series now stands at 2–1, with some of the momentum shifting toward Kansas City.

First Period

The Walleye wasted no time creating chaos in front of the net. Just thirty seconds in, they thought they’d taken the lead on a jam-play rebound, but the goal was waved off following video review—deflating the crowd and swinging momentum before it ever settled. Toledo pressed on, holding the edge in possession and tempo, but couldn’t break through Kansas City’s structure—or their netminder. As the period wore on, frustration led to penalties. Trenton Bliss took a tripping minor at 7:44, followed by Tyler Spezia’s cross-checking penalty at 9:40. The most costly misstep came with 57 seconds left in the frame when Carson Bantle was called for roughing, setting the stage for Kansas City’s breakthrough. With just 23 seconds remaining, Cade Borchardt sent a sharp pass to Casey Carreau, who snapped the puck past Jan Bednar for a power play goal that gave Kansas City a 1–0 lead despite being outplayed at even strength.

GOAL (19:37): Casey Carreau (Kansas City) – Power Play – Assisted by Cade Borchardt, Justin MacPherson

First Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: Kansas City 13 | Toledo 10
Saves: Kansas City 10 | Toledo 12
PIM: Kansas City 6 | Toledo 6

Second Period

The second period began in the worst possible way for the Walleye. Just 1:54 in, Kansas City doubled its lead when Luke Loheit cleaned up a rebound from Jimmy Glynn’s initial effort. Nolan Sullivan added the secondary assist on the play that quieted the arena and put Toledo back on its heels.

GOAL (1:54): Luke Loheit (Kansas City) – Even Strength – Assisted by Jimmy Glynn, Nolan Sullivan

From there, the penalties only worsened the hole. After a brief stretch of 5-on-5 hockey, Toledo’s discipline unraveled. Cole Ambrosio took a high-sticking minor at 14:09, and Bantle followed with an elbowing penalty at 17:04. The Mavericks, already 1-for-3 on the power play, made them pay once again. At 15:01, Max Andreev threaded a pass through traffic to Cam Morrison, who buried it for the Mavericks’ second power play goal of the night and a commanding 3–0 lead.

GOAL (15:01): Cam Morrison (Kansas City) – Power Play – Assisted by Max Andreev

While Toledo had opportunities, their offense sputtered—held to just seven shots in the period and continually forced to regroup due to special teams disruptions. By the end of the second, the Mavericks had all the momentum, with their power play operating at full throttle and their penalty kill bending but never breaking.

Second Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: Kansas City 9 | Toledo 7
Saves: Kansas City 7 | Toledo 6
PIM: Kansas City 4 | Toledo 6

Third Period

Toledo needed a spark—fast—but it was Kansas City who struck first again. Just over five minutes into the third, Landon McCallum redirected a setup from Carreau and MacPherson to stretch the lead to 4–0.

GOAL (5:30): Landon McCallum (Kansas City) – Even Strength – Assisted by Casey Carreau, Justin MacPherson

It was another sharp example of Kansas City’s depth and composure in the offensive zone. Toledo finally responded at 9:30, when Billy Moskal broke the shutout by crashing the net and pushing the puck past LaFontaine. Brendon Michaelian and Nick Andrews earned assists on the gritty goal that injected some life into the Walleye bench.

GOAL (9:30): Billy Moskal (Toledo) – Even Strength – Assisted by Brendon Michaelian, Nick Andrews

However, the fire was short-lived. Just minutes later, Jalen Smereck was sent off for slashing at 12:42, and Kansas City pounced again. This time, it was Max Andreev capping off his stellar night with a blistering power play goal—his fourth of the postseason—off another assist from Borchardt and a third point from Carreau.

GOAL (13:19): Max Andreev (Kansas City) – Power Play – Assisted by Cade Borchardt, Casey Carreau

Toledo kept pressing and earned a late power play of their own, finally cashing in at 17:12. Carson Bantle converted off a feed from Colby Ambrosio and Sam Craggs to cut the deficit to 5–2.

GOAL (17:12): Carson Bantle (Toledo) – Power Play – Assisted by Colby Ambrosio, Sam Craggs

Unfortunately for Bantle, the goal would be followed by a 12-minute trip to the box after a post-whistle altercation, part of a flurry of penalties in the final moments that included a misconduct for Craggs as well. The Mavericks claimed Game 3 by a 5–2 margin.

Third Period Stats:
Shots on Goal: Kansas City 5 | Toledo 18
Saves: Kansas City 16 | Toledo 3
PIM: Kansas City 8 | Toledo 24

Three Stars of the Game

1. Cade Borchardt (KC) – two assists, dominant on puck retrievals
2. Max Andreev (KC) – a power play goal, one assist
3. Casey Carreau (KC) – a goal, two assists, involved in three scoring plays

Goaltender Summary

Kansas City – Jack LaFontaine
LaFontaine was rock-solid in net, stopping 33 of 35 shots and anchoring a penalty kill that went 5-for-6. He made several key saves early, including during a chaotic first period where Toledo pushed hard following a waved-off goal. His poise under pressure and rebound control helped Kansas City weather an 18-shot third period and close out the win.

Toledo – Jan Bednar
Bednar faced 27 shots, making 22 saves in the loss. Despite a steady first period, Bednar was repeatedly left exposed on special teams breakdowns. Kansas City scored three times on the power play and twice at even strength, often capitalizing on second-chance opportunities that stretched the Walleye’s defense.

Final Summary

Kansas City executed their game plan to perfection, going 3-for-7 on the power play while neutralizing Toledo’s offense in key moments. The Walleye finished 1-for-6 on the man advantage and outshot the Mavericks 35–27, including an 18-shot third period, but struggled with costly penalties and missed opportunities. Jack LaFontaine turned aside 33 of 35 shots, standing tall when the Mavericks needed him most.

Up Next: Game 4 – Thursday, May 22

The Western Conference Finals continue Thursday night as the Toledo Walleye look to bounce back in Game 4 against the Kansas City Mavericks. Holding a 2–1 series lead, Toledo aims to tighten up defensively and reestablish momentum on home ice. Meanwhile, the Mavericks will look to build on their Game 3 win and even the series, bringing their physical, power-play-driven style into what’s shaping up to be a pivotal showdown. Puck drops at 7:15 PM EDT at Huntington Center.