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Mavericks sweep Kernels in Round 1, advance to Great Lakes Division Semifinals

LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — The Columbus Mavericks opened the 2026 USPHL Premier Playoffs in emphatic fashion, sweeping the Battle Creek Kernels in two straight games at OhioHealth Chiller North to advance to the second round.


Mavericks players celebrate a goal en route to a round 1 playoff victory over the Battle Creek Kernels.
Photo Credit: Brailee Rathburn

Columbus exploded for a franchise playoff-record 12 goals in Friday’s Game 1 before following up with a decisive 7–1 victory Saturday night to close out the best-of-three series.


With the sweep, the Mavericks move on to face the Toledo Cherokee in the Great Lakes Division Semifinals.


Game 1 – Mavericks 12, Kernels 1

The Mavericks wasted little time setting the tone in Game 1. Ethan Zuvela opened the scoring at 3:50 of the first period off a feed from Brian McConahy, and Ian Buswell doubled the lead late in the frame with assists from Alexander Brown and Brian Savage.


Battle Creek answered with 17 seconds remaining in the period, but any momentum quickly evaporated as Columbus erupted in the second.


Benjamin Marquardt, Evan Singer, Ethan Dufour, and Alexander Brown all found the back of the net in a dominant second period that stretched the lead to 6–1.


The third period turned into a showcase of depth scoring. Jan Sebastien Vancura, Marquardt, Buswell, Savage, TJ Boyd, and Dufour each added goals in a relentless offensive surge that brought the final to 12–1.


Goaltender Elliott Hartwick turned aside 19 of 20 shots to earn the win.


Columbus recorded goals from nine different skaters in one of the most complete playoff performances in franchise history.


Columbus Mavericks Alexander Brown collides with a Battle Creek player.
Photo Credit: Brailee Rathburn

Game 2 – Mavericks 7, Kernels 1

Saturday’s contest was more measured early but no less decisive.


Alexander Brown opened the scoring just 3:26 into the first period with an unassisted tally. After Battle Creek tied the game late in the period, Brian Savage answered just 1:28 later to restore the Mavericks’ lead heading into intermission.


Jan Sebastien Vancura extended the advantage midway through the second period, converting assists from Ethan Alexander and Evan Singer.


In the third, Columbus put the game out of reach with a four-goal outburst. Savage netted his second of the night, followed by goals from Giovanni Valentine, Benjamin Marquardt, and Jameson Motyka to seal the 7–1 victory.


Kai Nelson stopped 15 of 16 shots in net to secure the series-clinching win.


Series Notes & Standouts

  • Columbus outscored Battle Creek 19–2 over the two-game sweep.

  • Brian Savage recorded three goals in the series, including two in Game 2.

  • Benjamin Marquardt scored three goals across the two games.

  • Thomas Astley contributed multiple assists from the blue line in Game 1.

  • Nine different Mavericks scored in the series.


The Mavericks’ balanced attack and disciplined structure carried over from the regular season, as Columbus showcased the depth and offensive firepower that helped fuel its franchise-record 32-win campaign.


Up Next

Columbus now turns its attention to the Toledo Cherokee in the second round of the USPHL Playoffs.


Toledo will host the best-of-three series at Team Toledo Ice House:

  • Friday, March 6 – 7:00 PM

  • Saturday, March 7 – 7:00 PM

  • Sunday, March 8 – 2:00 PM (if necessary)


All three games will be broadcast live on BlackbearTV.

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