Box Score | Game Live

INDEPENDENCE, Missouri – In a series that saw late drama in nearly every game, the Missouri Mavericks and Wichita Thunder did not disappoint in the fifth and deciding game of the Turner Conference Opening Round. The Mavericks used two early goals by Nick Sirota and a late, third period, series-clinching goal by Nathan O’Nabigon to win the deciding game 5-4. Missouri moves on to the Turner Conference Semifinals to face the Colorado Eagles in a best-of-five series. Dates and times of the conference semifinals are yet to be determined.

The Mavericks got the scoring started on a goal from Nick Sirota on the power play at the 9:37 mark of the first period. Assists on the goal went to Shawn Fensel and Todd Griffith. The Mavs doubled their lead eight minutes later on yet another power play goal from Sirota. This time, the lone assist went to Steven Later. Wichita was quick to respond a minute and a half later on a goal from Daniel Tetrault. Jesse Bennefield and Brent Cullaton got the assists on the goal. After one period of play, the Mavericks

The Mavs extended their lead to 3-1 after Ray DiLauro buried a rebound from Ryan Jardine at the 12:38 mark of the second period. Brandon Coccimiglio was credited with the other assist on the goal. Three minutes after DiLauro’s goal, Wichita goaltender Marc-Antoine Gelinas was charged with a spearing penalty after jabbing his stick into the torso of Carlyle Lewis. A spearing penalty carries an automatic five-minute major and game misconduct. Gelinas was ejected from the game and replaced by Marty Magers. One minute after the Gelinas ejection, the Mavericks extended their lead to three goals on a goal from Derek Pallardy. Todd Griffith notched his second assist of the game on the goal.

Wichita brought the fight to Missouri in the third period, getting a quick goal from A.J. Gale 1:09 into the third period. Assists went to Aaron Davis and Andrew Martens. The Thunder made it a one-goal game under a minute later when Tetrault tallied his second goal of the game. Gale was given his second point of the game with an assist on the Tetrault goal. The Mavs’ lead remained at one goal for the next 10 minutes, until Andrew Martens blasted home yet another power play goal for the Thunder.

With the score tied at 4-4 heading down the home stretch, the Mavericks took the lead with 4:24 remaining in regulation. A scramble in front of Magers produced a rebound and third-year forward O’Nabigon put the puck behind Magers to give the Mavs the late lead. With less than two minutes to play, the Thunder pulled Magers in favor of an extra attacker. Sirota was charged with a tripping penalty with 59 seconds left in regulation, giving Wichita a six-on-four two man advantage for the remainder of the game. The Mavericks killed the remaining 59 seconds off the clock and won the decisive game five by the score of 5-4.

The Mavs power play went two-for-seven on the night. The Mavs penalty kill unit allowed three goals on six Wichita power plays. Robby Nolan finished the night with 20 saves on 24 shots. Gelinas stopped 12 of 15 shots by the Mavericks and Magers allowed two goals on 14 shots.

With the victory the Mavericks clinched the series and will now play the Colorado Eagles in the Turner Conference Semifinals. Dates for this series are yet to be determined.