Dominant defense and a flurry of hat tricks propelled the league-leading Mavericks to a decisive four-game sweep, crushing Allen’s championship hopes to claim the Mountain Division crown.
The Kansas City Mavericks won the Mountain Division finals after a sweep of the Allen Americans last night. Here is how they got to 8-0 in playoffs.
Game 1: Kansas City 2, Allen 1
The opening game saw the Mavericks continue the dominant form that made them the ECHL’s top regular-season team. The Mavericks struck first and controlled long stretches of possession, leaning on MVP forward Marcus Crawford to drive the offense and create chances in transition. Allen answered with strong counterattacks and kept pressure on Kansas City throughout the night, but the Mavericks’ defensive structure and timely saves proved to be the difference. Allen generated quality opportunities late in the third period, yet Kansas City held firm to protect the one-goal lead and secure the opener.
Game 2: 1 Kansas City, Allen 0
The second matchup was a neck-and-neck battle for the entire game. Neither team scored through the first two periods as Allen goalie Jackson Parsons and Kansas City goalie Dylan Wells became brick walls. The Mavericks finally broke through in the third period when Jack Randl scored the game’s lone goal off assists from Jackson Jutting and Marcus Crawford, giving Kansas City a 1-0 victory and a two-game series advantage. Wells stopped all 25 Allen shots for the shutout, while Kansas City’s disciplined defensive play limited second-chance opportunities and frustrated the Americans’ top scorers. Allen pulled Parsons late for an extra attacker and pushed hard in the final minute, but the Mavericks closed the door once again.
Game 3: Kansas City 7, Allen 4
Allen jumped started off strong with a goal from Colton Hargrove less than 30 seconds in, but Kansas City answered quickly, and the two teams traded goals throughout a wild opening two periods. Sam Sedley and Maxim Barbashev scored for Allen, while Bobo Carpenter and Luke Loheit powered the Mavericks’ offense to give Kansas City a 5-3 lead after 40 minutes.
Allen made one final push in the third when Ty Prefontaine cut the deficit to one, but the Mavericks pulled away late behind hat tricks from both Carpenter and Loheit.
Game 4: Kansas City 5, Allen 3
The Kansas City Mavericks completed a sweep of the Allen Americans Saturday night. Jackson Jutting led the way with a hat trick, scoring twice in the first period before adding his third late in the second after Allen had tied the game 2-2. Casey Carreau followed moments later with another goal to give Kansas City a 4-2 lead heading into the third.
Allen fought back behind two goals from Riley Kidney, including one late in the third period to make it 5-3, but the Mavericks held them off.
What’s Next?
The Mavericks will play the winner of the Toledo Walleyes and Fort Wayne Komets series. The first game will be May 22nd in Kansas City.