INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – The Missouri Mavericks scored all three of their goals in the first period and defeated the Quad City Mallards, 3-2, Thursday night at i wireless Center.  Walker Wintoneak, Tab Lardner and Ryan Jardine all scored goals for the Mavericks who improved to 4-3-2 on the season.  Goaltender Gerry Festa improved his record to 4-1-0 by stopping 14 of 16 shots.  The Mavericks continue on the road Friday night when they head to Wichita to take on the Thunder at 7:05 p.m. in the second game of three-games in three nights.

Box Score

“The Mallards scored on their first shot of the game while we were on the penalty kill,” said Mavericks’ Head Coach Scott Hillman.  “But everyone stuck together, worked hard and contributed in the win.  We have to be ready for another big test tomorrow and find a way to win before we head home Saturday.”

The opening minute of the game didn’t go according to plan for the Mavericks.  Forward Derek Pallardy took a hooking penalty just 37 seconds into the game and the Mallards quickly took advantage.  Obi Aduba notched his third goal of the season just nine seconds into the power play on the Mallards’ first shot of the game and less than a minute into the contest.

Missouri took over after the Aduba goal and scored three goals in the opening period including two goals in the final two minutes.  Rookie Walker Wintoneak scored the first of two power play goals for the Mavericks at 12:34 of the period on assists from Dominic D’Amour and Tab Lardner.  At 18:27, Lardner scored the Mavericks’ second power play goal of the game to give the visitors a 2-1 lead.  Olivier Filion and Toby Lafrance assisted on Lardner’s goal, and it marked the first time this season the Mavericks have scored two power play goals in a game. 

Missouri wasn’t finished in the opening period as Ryan Jardine scored his fourth goal of the season with just two seconds remaining in the period.  The goal proved to be the game winner and D’Amour earned his second assist on the play.  The Mavericks outshot Quad City 12-4 in the opening period and scored on both of their power play opportunities.  The three goals in the period tied a season high for the Mavericks.

Mike McLean cut the Mavericks lead to 3-2 when he scored for the Mallards at the 18:25 mark of the second period on assists from Tyler Shelast and Adam Maccarone.  Missouri again outshot Quad City in the period, 9-7, but the Mavericks held just a one-goal lead heading into the third period.

The Mavericks played tight defense in the third period and didn’t allow a Quad City goal to secure Missouri’s first road victory of the season.  Missouri allowed just five shots in the final period and a total of just 16 for the game marking a season low for Mavericks’ opponents.  The Mavericks are now 2-0-1 in their last three games.