KC Mavericks update: Defenseman honored as all-star game MVP; Mavs play three this week
Here is what’s going on this week with the Kansas City Mavericks minor-league hockey team.
The Mavericks are 18-18-1 in ECHL action so far this season.
Weekend recap
The Mavericks welcome the Newfoundland Growlers to town last Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the Mavericks fell 9-4, but it was a different story on Saturday, when they beat the Growlers 4-2. Forward Nick Pastujov scored the winning goal with 1:40 left and defenseman Justin Woods added an empty-netter with 16 seconds to go.
The Mavericks then lost 5-4 to the Thunder on Sunday in Wichita.
All-Star recognition
Mavericks defenseman Marcus Crawford tallied a hat trick during the league all-star game last Tuesday and was honored as the evening’s most valuable player.
Upcoming games
The Mavericks travel to Idaho to face off against the Steelheads on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week.
The Mavericks’ next home game at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence is Tuesday, Feb. 1 against the Tulsa Oilers.
Kelly Cup note
Qualification for the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be based on points percentage at the end of the regular season, the ECHL announced Friday.
This format tweak allows for the potential scenario in which some teams are unable to complete all of their 2021-22 games as scheduled.
The top four teams in each of the league’s four divisions, based on points percentage, will earn postseason berths. All four rounds in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs will be best-of-seven series.
