ECHL Playoffs: Thunder Even Series With Shutout; Mavericks Take 2-0 Series Lead

The Kansas City Mavericks scored five unanswered goals to take a 2-0 series lead over Toledo, while the Adirondack Thunder even its series with Florida behind a 41-save shutout from Isaac Poulter.

Recapping Saturday's playoff action around the ECHL.

The Kansas City Mavericks scored five unanswered goals to take a 2-0 series lead over the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL Western Conference Finals. Five different skaters found the back of the net for the Mavericks, while netminder Jack LaFontaine turned aside 39 of 40 shots on goal to pick up his fifth win of the postseason.

Toledo took a 1-0 lead late in the first period on Brandon Kruse's third goal of the playoffs. The Walleye outshot the Mavericks 15-12 in the opening period and took a one-goal lead into the first intermission.

However, Kansas City responded with two goals in the second period. Ryan Jones found the back of the net for the first time this postseason on a wrister from above the right-wing circle. Max Andrew doubled up the Mavericks lead with 6.6 seconds left in the frame.

Kansas City continued to pour it on in the third period, with Jeremy McKenna recording his fifth postseason goal at 7:35 on a snipe from the right dot. With the Toledo net empty, Jake McLaughlin and Patrick Curry hit the empty net to give the Mavericks a 5-1 lead, and the score would finish that way. 

Kansas City will look to take a 3-0 lead in Monday's Game 3, with puck drop set for 7:15 p.m. EST.

The Adirondack Thunder evened its series with the Florida Everblades in Game 2 of the ECHL Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night. Shane Harper and Ryan Smith found the back of the net, and goaltender Isaac Poulter stopped all 41 shots on goal to pick up his fourth shutout of the playoffs.

The Thunder outshot the Everblades 14-8 in the first period and took a 1-0 lead on Shane Harper's sixth postseason goal at the 4:16 mark of the frame. Following a chaotic sequence in front of the net, Harper banked a shot off Florida netminder Cam Johnson.

Adirondack took a 2-0 lead early in the second period on Ryan Smith's eighth goal of the playoffs. Mac Welsher, who was activated off the reserve for Saturday's Game 2, found his teammate on the backdoor tap-in. The Thunder carried a 2-0 lead into the second intermission despite being outshot 18-10 in the middle frame.

With Florida on the power play early in the third period, Poulter made consecutive saves to keep a clean sheet. The Thunder goaltender was outstanding down the stretch, stopping 33 shots over the final 40 minutes of play. 

Florida and Adirondack will resume their series for Game 3 on Wednesday, May 22, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. EST.