MOLINE, Ill. – Rocco Carzo and Carter Verhaeghe both provided a goal and an two assists and Josh Robinson made 29 saves as the Missouri Mavericks jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the way to defeating the host Quad City Mallards 4-1 Friday night and completing a four-game sweep of the Mallards in the ECHL’s Western Conference quarterfinals.
Missouri’s Bryce Aneloski scored the opening goal on the power play from the left wing circle at 7:35 of the first period.
Chris Owens’ blue line blast doubled the Mavericks’ lead at 9:14 of the second period. The Mavs were again on the power play when Carzo- who had assisted on the first two goals- backhanded a rebound home from the slot at 17:46 of the second.
Sam Warning cut the gap to 3-1 from the slot at 7:54 of the third period but Verhaeghe would pounce on the puck in the Mallards crease to cap of the Mavericks’ series clinching victory exactly four minutes later.
Friday evening’s defeat also brought an end to retiring Mallard captain Darren McMillan’s distinguished 11-year career. McMillan, who turns 36 tomorrow, wore the “C” for the the last six seasons and played the third most games (415) for the Mallards in club history.
ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs, Western Conference Quarterfinals
Missouri Mavericks defeat Quad City Mallards four games to none
Game One: Missouri 6 Quad City 3
Game Two: Missouri 2 Quad City 1
Game Three: Missouri 4 Quad City 2
Game Four: Missouri 4 Quad City 1
With Quad City Mallards release
Contact the photographer: Rich.Guill@prohockeynews.com (Sean Flynn Photography)
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