Some Saturday night hockey brings the Colorado Avalanche affiliate the Utah Grizzlies to town. The Mavs coming off an overtime win look to keep their perfect home record. Mason McDonald getting the start for the second night in a row. He goes into this game with a 2-0 record, 1.48 GAA and a .932 save percentage.
Utah gets an early goal on a rebound that slips five hole. Each team gets a power play but neither produce on their man advantage. The first period flies by and the Mavericks seemed a bit rushed to try and keep up with Utah's pace that is quite visibly quicker than Wichita last night. They get their own opportunity to answer back and it comes in the last couple minutes of the period. C.J. Eick has been buzzing all season and is rewarded with his first goal of the season. Zach Fischer also picks up his first point as a Mav and Mike Panowyk gets and assist on Eick's as well. The Mavs head back to the Grizzlies zone in the closing seconds of the period and gets some quality chances to pull ahead but do not. They end the first period tied and outshooting Utah 11-7.
Both teams get two goals in the second period. The Grizzlies get a power play and follow up with a power play goal 4:35 ino the 2nd. At this point, McDonald had let in 2 goals on 8 shots. A couple minutes later, the 2nd Mavs goal comes from Matt Robertson in a play in tight to the goalie. Lots of pushing and shoving after and the nets comes off. The Utah goalie is visibly upset by this and gives the ref an earful. As a result Jordan Klimek gets into a fight and both contestors go off for 5 minutes. A minute later, Jared VanWormer comes in tight and flips a backhand shot over the goale and the Mavericks pull ahead for the first time in the game. Their lead is cut short 34 seconds later and the Grizzlies score once again. The Mavericks get a late power play and 21 seconds before it expires they are rewarded a 5 on 3. Some decent opportunities for them but nothing comes of it. The first power play expires and they head into the 3rd with 1:31 of their other power play to go. Shots end 25-18 for the Mavericks.
The Mavs are unable to produce on their pp to start the third. They have a relatively good amount of zone time but no change in score. Utah stays strong at their heels and rips a shot at Mason McDonald that he drifts out of his crease to make a save on. The puck slips away and a lucky Utah player fires it home. Mason McDonald jumps to try and get his body on the puck but it is not in time. Utah pulls ahead once again. Greg Betzold get a pass from Jared VanWormer minutes later and rips it top corner to tie it up. Both teams fight for another goal but do not get it.
They head to overtime with a man advantage but do not score on the 4 on 3. Rocco Carzo spends a lot of time on the ice and switches out in the last half of minute where Mark Cooper comes out to win it again! Shot bar down off the crossbar. Great way to end a very close game.
They will be back in action at home November 6th against the Allen Americans.
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