Latest news with #JackLaFontaine
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ambrosio Lifts Walleye To Narrow Victory Over Everblades
If the Kansas City Mavericks hope to make a second consecutive appearance in the Kelly Cup Final, they will have to get up off the deck to do it. Colby Ambrosio tallied the game-winner in the third period to give Toledo a 4-3 victory at Cable Dahmer Arena. The Walleye now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. As opposed to the 2-0 score in Game 1, Saturday's contest was an offensively-heavy and high-scoring matchup. The Walleye got on the board just 1:49 into the first period as Mitch Lewandowski lit the lamp off a rebound in front of the net. Nolan Moyle and Carson Bantle assisted the game-opening goal. The Fish kept it going with another goal just over two minutes later at 4:07. Jalen Smereck shot the puck from the blue line and it went past Mavericks goaltender Jack LaFontaine. Moyle got the sole assist with his second of the night. However, the Mavericks answered right back with two goals of their own. Charlie Wright ripped home a goal at 7:34, and Max Andreev tied it at 12:15 off a setup from Cam Morrison and Cade Borchardt for a 2-2 score. Just 1:18 later, the Walleye would respond as Trenton Bliss put in a shot from a Smereck feed to restore the Walleye lead to 3-2 heading into the second. Despite a goal-filled first period, the game settled down afterward. The Mavericks scored the only goal of the second, tying the game at 3-3 early in the frame. Casey Carreau found the net off assists from Morrison and Andreev. The score stayed tied through the remainder of the second, setting up for a big third period. Toledo got back to their game, putting heavy pressure on the KC defense and was desperate to take back their lead. The Walleye pressed in the offensive zone, and it paid off at 6:12 when Ambrosio wound up and patiently waited for the puck. After a setup from Brandon Kruse and Matt Anderson, Ambrosio buried a one-timer to restore Toledo's lead. The goal stood as the game-winner, thanks to a strong defensive effort and performance from Carter Gylander, who stopped 24 shots. LaFontaine made 25 saves in the loss. Despite the negative outcome, Kansas City's special teams were effective, going 2-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. Game 3 is Tuesday night as the series switches to Toledo for the next three games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 Pm ET.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Toledo Pitches Shutout In KC, Takes 1-0 Lead In Western Conference Finals
Coming into the Western Conference Finals, Kansas City Mavericks goaltender Jack LaFontaine had allowed one goal or less in six of 10 games this post-season. Through two periods in Game 1 Thursday night against the Toledo Walleye, he appeared to be on his way to equaling that mark. Then, two quick goals within 20 seconds changed all that, and the Walleye walked away with a 2-0 shutout at Cable Dahmer Arena to take a 1-0 lead in the WCF. Matt Anderson finally broke the scoreless tie at 2:51 of the third period off his own rebound. The assist went to Carson Bantle. Just 20 seconds later, Cole Gallant went on a breakaway and added some much needed insurance to put Toledo up 2-0. Dylan Moulton assisted on the play. As solid as LaFontaine was, Toledo netminder Jan Bednar was perfect on the night, stopping all 25 shots he faced. LaFontaine made 32 saves in the loss. Bednar's shutout was the first in the post-season for the Walleye since 2022. Both teams played intense but well-disciplined hockey, and Toledo stole the Mavericks' home ice advantage in the series. This year marks the second consecutive meeting between these two teams in the Western Conference Finals, with the Mavericks taking last year's series 4-2. Game 2 of this series is Saturday at Cable Dahmer Arena, with puck drop set for 6:05 Pm CT.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Knight Monsters' Inaugural Season Ends; Mavericks Clinch Western Conference Finals Berth
The storybook season for the Tahoe Knight Monsters is over. After sweeping through their first-ever playoff series, they were handed the same treatment by the Kansas City Mavericks in the Mountain Division Finals. On Friday, the Mavericks completed a sweep of the series with a convincing 6-0 shutout in front of a packed crowd at Tahoe Blue Event Center. Max Andreev opened the scoring for the Mavericks just 1:42 into the first period for a 1-0 lead. In the ensuing minutes, Tahoe had chances to score with a four-minute power play and a penalty shot, but could not solve Mavericks netminder Jack LaFontaine. Cade Borchardt and Jackson Berezowski also scored in the opening frame, helping Kansas City take a commanding 3-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes. Damien Giroux added to the lead just 21 seconds into the second period, and the game was never in doubt. Jake McLaughlin scored the final goal midway through the third period, assisted by Zack Trott. Jack LaFontaine was stellar in goal, stopping all 25 shots he faced to earn his fourth shutout of the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, the most of any goaltender in the league. The Mavericks outshot Tahoe 33-25 and killed off all five penalties they faced to finish a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill. With the win, the Mavericks advance to the Western Conference Final for the second straight season. They will host the winner of the Fort Wayne Komets and Toledo Walleye series at Cable Dahmer Arena, with dates and times to be announced soon. It was a disappointing finish for the Knight Monsters, but the fans at Tahoe Blue Event Center cheered as their beloved team vacated the ice, saluting them for an incredible campaign. The send-off was well-deserved. The Knight Monsters certainly have a lot to be proud of in their first season in the ECHL. Bigger and better things are sure to come.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mavericks Put Knight Monsters On Brink Of Elimination In Mountain Division Finals
The Tahoe Knight Monsters trailed 2-0 in the Mountain Division Finals against the Kansas City Mavericks heading into Thursday night. But Game 3 would be played at Tahoe Blue Event Center, and the Knight Monsters were hoping to use that advantage to get back in the series. It was not to be, however. The Mavericks came away with a 3-1 victory, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series. Bear Hughes scored the game's first goal on a 5-on-3 advantage where he roofed the puck past Mavericks netminder Jack LaFontaine early in the opening frame for a 1-0 Tahoe lead. The lead didn't last long. KC tied the game 1-1 late in the frame with a power-play goal of their own. Zack Trott buried a rebound at 19:53 of the frame, with David Cotton and Cam Morrison assisting In the second, Kansas City took over, outshooting Tahoe 13-7 and scoring twice. Damien Giroux slammed home another rebound at 12:25, assisted by Jackson Berezowski and Cotton, to give the Mavericks their first lead at 2-1. Four minutes later, Casey Carreau extended the lead to 3-1 with a high-slot shot past Tahoe goalie Jesper Vikman. Jake McLaughlin and Luke Loheit each earned an assist. The Knight Monsters controlled the pace of play for most of the third period, but LaFontaine locked things down from there with a 12-save performance in the frame. Vikman finished the contest with 26 saves on 29 shots seen, but it wasn't enough as the final buzzer sounded on a 3-1 loss. The Knight Monsters will look to keep their season alive on Friday night for Game 4 of the series at the Tahoe Blue Event Center. Puck drop is set for 7 Pm PT.
