MOLINE, Ill. – It was a memorable Wednesday night in Moline, Illinois for the Missouri Mavericks (36-16-2) who not only became the first CHL team to clinch a spot in the playoffs, but also saw their Captain join a club whose membership was two before the start of the night.
In the game, the Mavericks defeated the Quad City Mallards (26-18-8) by a 5-2 count moving their lead in the conference to seven points over the second place Rapid City Rush (33-20-1). The win is the league-leading 20th on the road for Missouri.
For Thinel, his assist on the first goal of the game (scored by Andrew Courtney) was his 900th CHL point moving him into a territory that only Hall of Famers Joe Burton and Travis Clayton have seen before.
Courtney added a power play goal later in the evening giving him two goals on the night and 24 on the season and Trevor Kell scored twice while adding an assist. For Kell, he now has 16 goals and 50 points.
After falling behind 2-0, the Mallards would battle back and after two periods trailed by a manageable 3-2 count. Thomas Frazee and Chris Greene scored the goals for the Flock who had dropped four of the five previous meetings against the Mavs.
But in the third period, an early power play goal from Kell and a late nail in the coffin on the man advantage from Courtney dealt the Flock their third consecutive home loss.
Mike Ramsay also scored for Missouri and Eric Castonguay added a pair of helpers.
Shane Owen made 27 saves in net improving to 29-12-1 on the season.
Text courtesy of Central Hockey League
Photos courtesy of Rich Guill (Sean Flynn Photography)