GAMEDAY BLOG: Mavs open weekend set against Toledo

The Kansas City Mavericks and Toledo Walleye open a two-game set at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

Friday's game is a First Watch Four-Pack Friday. Fans can get this special ticket package every Friday. It includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks and a BOGO offer from First Watch restaurants. Stick around after Saturday's game for the Fifth Line Club auction. 

Tonight's Projected Lineup

Forward LinesJack Walker-Rocco Carzo-Michael ParksDarian Dziurzynski-Tad Kozun-Ryan GaltCorey Durocher-Mitch Hults-Greg Betzold/Ryan Van Stralen

Defensive PairingsTerrance Amorosa-John FurgeleJustin Woods-Zach OsburnDerek Pratt-Kevin McKernan

GoaltendersNick SchneiderHayden Hawkey

Scratches: Bryan Lemos, C.J. Eick, Loren Ulett, David Dziurzynski, Ian MackeyIR: Neal Goff, Cole Fraser

Tonight's Notes

Heat CheckSince being assigned to KC by the Stockton Heat last week, Nick Schneider has responded by stopping 61 of 64 shots in two games for a .953 save percentage and 1-1-0-0 record. Schneider appeared in 22 games for the Mavericks last season.

BlazingMavericks forward Darian Dziurzynski has scored a goal in three straight games, including the game-winner against Tulsa in the Mavs first win of the season last Friday against Tulsa.Approaching MilestoneMavericks captain Rocco Carzo needs two goals to reach 100 career ECHL goals. He is currently fourth in team history with 62 goals.Vet StatusMavericks forward and assistant captain Darian Dziurzynski’s next game will be his 200th career ECHL game.Tops in the WestThis is the first time the Mavericks face the defending ECHL Western Conference champions, Toledo Walleye this season. The Mavericks went 1-2-0-0 against the Walleye last season. In their three games against Toledo, in which the average margin of victory was 1.67.AHL AssignmentsThe Mavericks currently have four players assigned from Stockton on the roster. Forward Mitch Hults, defensemen Terrance Amorosa and Zach Osburn and goaltender Nick Schneider.DisciplinedThe Mavericks are the sixth-least penalized team in the ECHL with 38 penalty minutes in four games.Mr. ConsistencyMavericks defenseman Justin Woods has been in the starting lineup in all four games this season.Instant ImpactMavericks newcomers acquired via free agency or trade have made a big impact already, combining for three goals and 12 assists in the Mavericks first three games. Leading the way for Mavs newcomers is Jack Walker, who has a goal and two assists in three games for KC since being signed as a free agent this offseason.Flipping the ScriptThe Mavericks will flip the script on the league-wide DC Comics night as they will be playing the villain for one night only on Joker vs. Batman Night on November 2 against the Wichita Thunder. The Mavericks will be wearing specialty Joker-themed jerseys, the only team to wear villain-themed jerseys in the league this year.

Tickets are available for Friday and Saturday's games on ticketmaster.com and at the SEC Arena Box Office (fees apply).