MAVERICKS COMEBACK EFFORT DOOMED BY EARLY DEFICIT IN FLORIDA, FALL 5-3

ESTERO, Fla. – Two early goals by the Florida Everblades proved to be the difference as the Kansas City Mavericks fell 5-3 at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida. Mavericks forward Darian Dziurzynski had two assists on the night and defenseman Cliff Watson netted his first goal of the season. The Mavs and Everblades faceoff again tomorrow night at Hertz Arena at 6:05 p.m.

First Period-Florida opened the scoring 1:20 into regulation on a goal by forward Levko Koper (1). Arvin Atwal assisted on the goal. -The Everblades doubled their lead just eight seconds later on a goal from Joe Pendenza (2). Hunter Garlent assisted on the goal.-The Mavericks outshot Florida, 11-6 in the period.

Second Period-Zach Magwood (6) made it a 3-0 Florida lead at 11:54 of the second period. Michael Huntebrinker assisted on the goal.-Rocco Carzo (9) got the Mavs within two goals with a goal at the 14:32 mark of the second period. Darian Dziurzynski and Neal Goff assisted on the goal.-Magwood (7) put the ‘Blades back up three goals with 30 seconds left in the period. Garlent received his second assist of the game on the goal.-The Mavericks again outshot the Everblades in the period, 9-6.

Third Period-Rookie forward Bryan Lemos (5) got the Mavericks back to within two goals 58 seconds into the third period. Defenseman Zach Osburn assisted on the goal.-Cliff Watson (1) netted his first goal of the season to make it a one-goal game with six minutes, seven seconds to go in regulation. Tad Kozun and Darian Dziurzynski assisted on the goal.-Florida netted an empty net goal from Justin Auger with 12 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the 5-3 win. Blake Winiecki assisted on the goal.

Notes & Streaks-The Mavericks were held scoreless for 97:52 across three games until Carzo’s second period goal.-The Mavericks went three-for-three on the penalty kill.

The Mavericks and Everblades wrap up their two-game weekend set Saturday at Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida at 6:05 p.m. before travelling to Orlando, Florida to face the Orlando Solar Bears at Amway Center on Wednesday. The Mavs then return home on Friday, December 20 to face the Utah Grizzlies at 7:05 p.m. at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.

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