Kansas City Mavericks take 2 of 3 from Utah Grizzlies; another busy week ahead

Zach Welch
·3 min read

It was a busy home weekend at Cable Dahmer Arena as the Kansas City Mavericks played host to the Utah Grizzlies for three games in three days.

Friday’s first game of the series was a forgettable one for Kansas City. Entering the third period down by three goals, KC made a valiant comeback attempt. But two empty-net goals from Utah gave the Grizzlies a 7-4 victory.

Jacob Hayhurst had two goals and an assist in Friday’s loss and one of the ECHL’s leading rookies, Max Andreev, contributed a goal and two assists.

Game two followed Saturday evening in front of more than 4,400 fans. The packed house saw an offensive explosion from Kansas City and more historic performances.

Jeremy McKenna was the star of the show as the AHL-affiliated player notched his second hat trick of the season. The Alberta, Canada, native’s three goals came in just two periods, and he added an assist for his second four-point night of the season.

Patrick Curry notched a goal and an assist on Friday to become the sixth Mavericks skater during their ECHL tenure to put up 60 or more points in a single season.

Three more goals — from Jacob Hayhurst, Justin Nachbaur and Nolan Walker — completed KC’s 7-5 victory. It was the Mavericks’ 37th win this season, their second-highest total since joining the ECHL in the 2015-16 season.

Nearly 5,000 fans jammed the arena for Sunday’s Faith and Family Day event. And this time it was defense that carried the day for the Mavericks. Goaltender Cale Morris stopped all 27 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season (third of the season for the Mavericks overall).

Defenseman Jake McLaughlin scored the only goal that Kansas City would need. Cole Coskey and Nolan Walker added two insurance scores to give the Mavericks the 3-0 win.

The Mavericks picked up four points in the three-game set to increase their lead in the ECHL. Currently sitting at the top of the ECHL standings, the Mavericks are 38-10-2-1 (79 points), five points clear of the league’s second-place team.

It was a busy home weekend at Cable Dahmer Arena as the Kansas City Mavericks played host to the Utah Grizzlies for three games in three days.
It was a busy home weekend at Cable Dahmer Arena as the Kansas City Mavericks played host to the Utah Grizzlies for three games in three days.

RECORDS ACHIEVED

  • The Mavericks have won 38 games this season, their second-highest ECHL win total in franchise history.

  • Max Andreev recorded his 40th assist of the season Friday and is now one of five Mavericks skaters to record 40 or more assists in a single season.

  • Patrick Curry sits at 60 points this season and is one of six players in franchise history with 60 or more in one season.

  • Since Jan. 10, Jacob Hayhurst and Jeremy McKenna lead the ECHL in points.

  • Jack LaFontaine picked up his 10th win of the season and the Mavs are the only team in the ECHL to have three goaltenders with 10 or more wins each.

ATTENDANCE SURGING

Over their last nine weekend games, the Mavericks are averaging 4,900 fans at Cable Dahmer Arena. Attendance continues to grow to watch the ECHL’s best team make a run at a historic season.

UP NEXT

Thanks to a rescheduled game, Kansas City heads to Tulsa on Wednesday, hosts Wichita Friday and then heads back down I-35 to Tulsa for games on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday night is Racing Night in partnership with Kansas Speedway at Cable Dahmer Arena. The Mavericks will be wearing special NASCAR-themed jerseys.

Limited tickets remain for all Mavericks home games at 816-252-7825 or kcmaverick.com.