Columbus, Ohio – The Mavericks took on the Toledo Cherokee in a home-and-home series this weekend and lost both games.

On Friday, the Mavericks traveled to the Team Toledo Ice Haus for a well-fought game. With assists from Piercen Garcia and Jadon Beard; Hunter Gentz, the rookie out of Mason, Ohio, scored the first goal of the series and his fifth goal of the season 4:34 into the first on a power play. Toledo struck back, setting the score even at 1-1 7:57 into the first.

The Mavs again took the lead 10:10 in the second period – Garcia, the veteran center from Fresno, California, added another power play goal with assists from Beard and Roman Boffa. However, with forward Matt Scott in the penalty box, Toledo sent a shot past rookie goalie Kyle Diehr, tying the game up at 2-2 13:04 into the second period.

The Cherokee added another goal past Diehr 16 second later, and the Mavs were unable to recover; the final score was an agonizing 3-2 for the Cherokee.

Saturday saw the Mavs play their first game of the season in the OhioHealth Ice Haus in downtown Columbus. Despite a home ice advantage, the loss was far more drastic than the night before.

The Cherokee set the scene, sending two of nineteen shots past Matthew Powell, to the Mavs’ nine unsuccessful shots on goal in the first period. Toledo added another four goals in the second period before team leader in goals and points Brandon Kididis scored the sole Mavericks goal of the game on a power play with 34 seconds left in the period, with assists from Carson Johnston and Charlie Friel.

Despite a goalie switch in the third period, three shots made it past Aaron Symons for a final score of 9-1 in favor of Toledo.

The Mavericks return to Lewis Center on Friday to play the Wooster Oilers in Chiller North at 7:45 p.m.