The Mavericks continue one of the hottest campaigns in franchise history, earning a playoff slot with six weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Mavericks are living up to the title, becoming the first ECHL team in the 2023-24 season to clinch a berth in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.
With 17 games and six weeks remaining in the regular season, the Mavs punched their ticket to the playoffs with a 7-4 victory over the Tulsa Oilers on Sunday. The club has now made the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since making it in five straight seasons from 2009-14.
The victory, their 41st of the season, marks the third-highest total in the franchise’s 15-year history. The win was also their 22nd road victory of the season, just four away from tying the all-time ECHL road wins record.
Under coach and GM Tad O’Had, the Mavs have increased their win total in each of his four years behind the bench. Kansas City is on pace for their best season in franchise history, currently with the third-most victories (41) and points (86) in a single season as well as the fifth-highest goal total in franchise history.
Kansas City has six players with 15 or more goals on the season and five players who rank in the top 20 in total scoring. Patrick Curry and Nolan Walker both rank in the top five in the league in goals scored. Max Andreev and Cade Borchardt are tied as the second-highest-scoring rookies in the ECHL.
The Mavericks are likewise the only team in the ECHL to have three goaltenders with 11 or more wins each, as well as the only team in the ECHL to rank in the top five in both goals scored and fewest goals allowed per game.