Mavericks: Home Not-So-Sweet Home

When we last checked in with Kansas City, the boys had just kicked off their first three games of an eight game homestand, taking two of three contests from then-division leading Toledo Walleye. Afterwards, the Mavericks (47 points) sat five points back of the Walleye (53 points) for first place in the ECHL Central Division, with the Kalamazoo Wings right behind them with 46^th points in 3^rd place.

The Mavs didn’t have much chance to make a dent in the three-way race, as the remainder of the homestand saw no more contests between the triad of teams. While they couldn’t gain any ground, they could prevent losing any. It was not to be, as the rest of the way went 2-3, taking only four of a possible ten points. In the meantime, the Fort Wayne Komets went on a 5-1 run, pushing KC all the way back to 5th place. Couple that with handing Cincinnati four points, and the Mavs were also leapfrogged by the Wings and Cyclones. It was absolutely a tough way to finish out what was previously a great start to the new year.

GAME BY GAME:

01/26/18 vs Rapid City Rush

L 5-2

01/27/18 vs Rapid City Rush

W 1-2

01/30/18 vs Colorado Eagles

W 1-3

02/02/18 vs Cincinnati Cyclones

L 5-1

02/03/18 vs Cincinnati Cyclones

L 4-1

THE SQUAD:

Goaltender Tyler Parsons made his return from injury, and made three straight starts on the homestand. He rounded out with two wins, and one loss, the L coming against Rapid City in his first game back (5GA, 24Saves). Parsons rounded back into form, taking two straight wins (Rapid City, 1GA, 34 saves; Colorado, 1GA, 24 saves) and seemingly shaking off the cobwebs after getting shelled in his first contest back. The Mavs are rolling three goaltenders for the time being, as Chris Nell and Mason McDonald split the two games of the home stand, both falling to Cincinatti in 5-1 and 4-1 losses, respectively. Parsons is slated for one more start and is expected to be called up to Stockton.

Speaking of the Stockton Heat, that’s where Mavs leading scorer Mike McCurty is still spending his time. Matt Robertson (15G, 13A) was in the team lead last we recapped and McCurty was called up, but he has since been leapfrogged by Mark Cooper (14G, 16A). Tyler Elbrecht stacked his team leading PIMs total from 105 to 121, good enough for 11th overall in the ECHL.

UP NEXT:

The Mavs are headed out for three road games, and back home for three more. The road trip sees another game against the Cyclones, and two against the division leading Walleye. The home stay is a pair against the divisions 6th place Indy fuel, and a big measuring stick game against the ECHL’s 1st place Florida Everblades. Matchsticks & Gasoline will check back on Kansas City’s progress in two weeks!

by MilhouseFirehouse