(Photo credit: Christian West)
Allen’s third period rally fell short Friday night against Kansas City as Allen drops the first game of its three-game series against Kansas City.
The Kansas City Mavericks defeated the Allen Americans 5-3 at Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. With the win, the Mavericks improved to 8-2-0 overall and 4-0-0 on the road; the Americans fell to 3-5-0 overall and 0-3-0 at home.
Kevin Mandolese got his first start in goal of the season for the Americans and it started rough. Kansas City started the first period hot by scoring two goals 8:35 into the game. Jacob Hayhurst and Max Andreev scored the goals.
“I didn’t like our start as a team,” said Americans head coach Chad Costello. “I thought the guys looked a little hesitant.”
Both teams scored in the second period as Kansas City led 3-1 heading into the second intermission.
With 1:04 remaining in the second period, Kansas City’s Justin Nachbaur and Allen’s Mikael Robidoux dropped the gloves at center ice for a fight. Both wear number 32. No. 32 vs No. 32 in a fight; coincidence? After the fight, Robidoux didn’t return for the third period.
Thirteen seconds into the third period, Nolan Walker scored to make it 4-1 Kansas City. After that, Allen scored two goals in the third period from Justin Allen and Matt Marcinew to make it 4-3, but didn’t complete the comeback. The Mavericks added an empty netter to make it 5-3.
Eight different Maverick players recorded at least one point in the game. Jack LaFontaine recorded 26 saves and picked up his second win of the season. Andreev and Cade Borchardt each recorded one goal and two assists.
“We’ll watch the video together and change every single thing that gives us a better chance to win,” Costello said.
The Americans and Mavericks will continue their three-game series against each other tomorrow with puck drop at 7:10 p.m. and Sunday with puck drop at 2:10 p.m. at Credit Union of Texas Event Center.
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