Perfect Start: Mavericks Sweep Chicago Showcase in NCDC Debut
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Mavericks waited eight seasons to play an NCDC game. Once they got the chance, they wasted no time making themselves at home.
The Mavericks opened their first season in the USPHL's Tier 2 division with three wins in three days at the USPHL Chicago Showcase. They beat the Minnesota Blue Ox 9-1 on Thursday, the Northwest Express 11-1 on Friday and the Hudson Havoc 5-3 on Saturday. Columbus outscored its three Midwest Conference North Division opponents 25-5 over the weekend.
The offense came from everywhere. Jan Sebastien Vancura, Jameson Motyka and Lukas Marek each finished the weekend with seven points. Fifteen different Mavericks scored at least one point, and three different goaltenders shared the work in net.
Game 1: Mavericks 9, Minnesota Blue Ox 1
Thursday, Oct. 1
The first goal in Mavericks NCDC history came just 3:26 into the opening period. Carter Holbrook scored it, with Cameron Hill picking up the assist. Motyka doubled the lead later in the first, set up by Marek.
Columbus pulled away in the second period. Zack Shepherd converted on the power play, with assists from Nicholas Borg and Kenneth Cadwallader. Vancura and Giovanni Valentine then added goals for a 5-0 lead through 40 minutes.
The Mavericks scored four more in the third. Marek, Cadwallader and Valentine each scored, and Vancura capped the night with an unassisted goal for his second of the game. Cooper Hedin spoiled Gino Texter's shutout bid late in the third period, with assists from Eddie Drury and Jaiken Mackedanz.
Vancura led the way with two goals and an assist. Valentine also scored twice, while Marek, Cadwallader and Hill each had two points.
Game 2: Mavericks 11, Northwest Express 1
Friday, Oct. 2
If Thursday was a statement, Friday was an exclamation point. Gavin Gopal recorded the program's first NCDC hat trick, capping it with a shorthanded goal in the final two minutes.
Columbus led 3-0 after one period on goals from Motyka, Gopal and Jan Valenta. Valenta, Austin Letcher and Ethan Alexander scored in the second to make it 6-0.
The third period opened with a burst. Cadwallader, Letcher and Gopal scored three goals in an 82-second span to push the lead to 9-0. Ethan Bellamy got the Express on the board midway through the period, with an assist from Jacob Kolker. Vancura answered just seven seconds later.
Letcher (two goals, two assists) and Motyka (one goal, three assists) each had four points. Ethan Zuvela added three assists, and Cadwallader had a goal and two assists. Gregor Kalinovsky was in net for the win.
Game 3: Mavericks 5, Hudson Havoc 3
Saturday, Oct. 3
The Havoc gave Columbus its first real test of the season, but the Mavericks found an answer every time.
Zuvela opened the scoring on a first-period power play, set up by Motyka and Marek. Hudson tied it in the second when Lucas Kiel scored on the power play. Columbus responded with two goals 36 seconds apart. Vancura scored first, assisted by Marek and Devyn Bittner. Marek then scored with assists from Vancura and Motyka for a 3-1 lead.
The third period got tight. Isaac Berberena pulled Hudson within one, and Douglas Loethen restored the two-goal cushion, assisted by Gopal and Max Bloomfield. Jackson Dougherty cut it to 4-3 with 9:50 to play.
The game was settled with 3:26 left in regulation. Letcher was awarded a penalty shot and converted it to seal the win.
Kellen Ceraldi made 28 saves on 31 shots. Marek led Columbus with a goal and two assists, and the Mavericks outshot the Havoc 47-31.
Weekend Leaders
Jan Sebastien Vancura: 4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points
Jameson Motyka: 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
Lukas Marek: 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points
Austin Letcher: 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points (in two games)
Ethan Zuvela: 1 goal, 4 assists, 5 points
Kenneth Cadwallader: 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points
Gavin Gopal: 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 points
Cameron Hill: 4 assists, 4 points
Next up: Home sweet home
The undefeated Mavericks now return to Central Ohio for the first NCDC home games in program history. Columbus hosts the Red River Spartans at OhioHealth Chiller North, 8144 Highfield Drive in Lewis Center, on Friday, Oct. 9, at 5:30 PM. The two teams meet again Saturday, Oct. 10, at 7:40 PM. Tickets are available at columbusmavericks.com/fan-zone/tickets, and both games will stream on USPHL+ through Black Bear Sports.