KC Mavericks update: Weekend series vs. Tulsa includes first Ring of Honor induction

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KC MAVERICKS UPDATE: MAVS SPLIT WITH RIVAL AS HOME STRETCH OF THE SEASON IS UNDERWAY

By: Zach Welch

With just two games this past week, the Kansas City Mavericks got some much-needed rest during the home stretch of the season.

They split a two-game weekend series against ECHL division-rival Wichita, with each team winning on its home ice.

More than 4,200 fans packed Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence on Friday night and were treated to a goal-filled 5-2 victory for the Mavericks.

Getting the scoring started was Mavericks veteran Ryan Harrison, who picked up his fourth goal of the season just 90 seconds after the initial faceoff. It was scoreless for the remainder of the period until captain Nick Pastujov scored his 17th of the season for a 2-0 Mavs lead.

With that goal, Pastujov moved into sixth place in franchise history in points scored.

A second-period mistake by Wichita saw John Schiavo steal the puck in KC’s offensive zone. In a one-on-one matchup with the goaltender, Schiavo buried it in the back of the net for the eventual game-winning goal. He now has three game-winning goals in the last four weeks.

But the stars of Friday night’s victory were two younger players. Having been signed the day before from Niagara University, forward Casey Carreau scored a goal and added an assist in his pro debut. And Bemidji State’s Elias Rosen, playing on an amateur tryout contract, had an assist.

Wichita scored midway through the third, but KC defenseman Jake McLaughlin scored his fourth goal of the season soon after. He now has nine points in seven games since he returned from a call-up to the AHL.

The victory was the Mavericks’ fifth straight against the Thunder, their longest win streak against their border rivals since 2015-16.

The streak ended Saturday night in Wichita, where the Thunder beat the Mavs 3-1. Forward Hugo Roy scored the lone Mavericks goal early in the second period. Roy leads the team with 20 points in 19 games since Feb. 5.

MAVERICKS’ RECORD

Kansas City is currently tied for second place in the ECHL Mountain Division at 27-25-6-2 (62 points) with 12 games remaining in the regular season.

RING OF HONOR INDUCTION

The Mavericks will honor a past great this weekend: Former player and coach John-Scott Dickson will be the first inductee into the Mavericks’ Ring of Honor during the first intermission of Saturday’s home game against Tulsa.

Dickson was a forward for the Mavericks from 2011-15. He joined the team’s coaching staff after his playing career ended, first as an assistant coach and then as head coach and director of hockey operations from 2016-20.

Mavs owner Lamar Hunt Jr. will be present at the ceremony, and Dickson’s banner will hang in the Cable Dahmer Arena rafters.

NEXT UP

The Mavericks have two important games at Cable Dahmer Arena this week, both against Tulsa (7:05 p.m. start Friday and Saturday). KC then heads to Tulsa for an afternoon game on Sunday.

For tickets to Mavericks home games, visit kcmavericks.com or call (816) 252-7825.