Shootout Goal by David Dziurzynski Gives Mavericks Comeback Victory, 4-3
A night after being shutout, the Kansas City Mavericks looked like they might fall for a second straight night, trailing the Wichita Thunder 3-1 entering the third period. However, the Mavericks would rally with two goals in the final fame and win it in a shootout thanks to David Dziurzynski, who had a goal and the shootout winner.
The Wichita Thunder would get on the board first at 4:42 of the first period thanks to their second power-play of the game. With the Thunder controlling the puck in the Kansas City end, Stephen Iacobellis passed the puck back to Travis Brown at the point, who gave it back to Iacobellis near the faceoff circle. He fired a wrist shot that beat Mason McDonald on the short side for his sixth goal of the year.
At the 11:29 the Mavericks would tie the score. Matt Robertson made a great backhand pass out of his zone and onto the stick David Dziurynski as he was cruising alone through the neutral zone. Dziurynski entered the Thunder end on a breakaway, beating Stuart Skinner high over the glove side with a wrist shot for his sixth goal of the year.
The game remained tied heading into the second period, when Wichita would retake the lead at 4:48. Colin Larkin passed the puck to Nolan Vesey in the neutral zone, who picked up a head of steam down the right boards as he entered the Kansas City end on a three-on-one. He swept in toward the net, firing the puck over McDonald’s shoulder for his first goal of the year.
Moments later, the Thunder had several golden opportunities to extend their lead, as they had four point blank shots on McDonald in the span of about 12 seconds, but the goaltender was able to knock them all away before the puck was cleared, including with two great pad saves down low.
As they had done in the previous two periods, the Thunder would score early in the third frame to extend their lead to two. Jared Wilson fired a shot from the side boards that was stopped. Lane Bauer put the rebound on net from the side of the goal, but McDonald made a save on him as well. However, the puck bounced out in front of the net and Ryan Van Stralen swooped in, slamming the rebound into the goal for his first tally of the year. That came at 3:48 of the period.
About three minutes later the Mavericks would cut the deficit to one. Rocco Carzo fired a shot that was saved by Skinner, but the rebound came right to Jared VanWormer who was moving in on goal. He fired the shot over the Thunder goalie’s pads for his seventh goal of the year, making it 3-2.
With 3:17 left in the game, the Mavericks would tie the score. Robertson’s shot was saved by Skinner, but Darian Dziurzynski made a great play, sweeping across the slot to get the rebound and put it in for his second goal of the game.
That sent the game to overtime. With 1:10 left, the Mavericks nearly won it when Carzo made a great pass to Jordan Kilmek, who was alone coming down the slot. He redirected the puck but Skinner quickly slid over to make a great save to keep it tied.
With the score tied after the extra frame, the game went to a shootout. The score was tied at one through the first three rounds, sending it to sudden death. David Dziurzynski beat Skinner on his attempt, but McDonald would stop Van Stralen to give the Mavericks the 4-3 victory.
Rocco Carzo and Matt Robertson led the Mavericks offense with two assists each. Travis Brown had two assists for the Thunder. Skinner finished with 38 saves on 41 shots.
The Wichita Thunder head to the road to take the Tulsa Oilers on Tuesday. Faceoff is at 7:05.
By Robert Pannier