After one of the most physical, exciting and competitive first round series in the USPHL playoffs, the Columbus Mavericks advance to the second round with a 4-3 victory in game 3 over the Lake Erie Bighorns. After the Mavs took a commanding series lead with a 6-3 victory, the Bighorns came storming back to take game 2 by a score of 4-1, setting up a Sunday showdown in game 3. The afternoon sun was shining through the floor to ceiling windows of the OhioHealth Ice Haus as the Mavericks and Bighorns faced off in a do-or-die, win-or-go-home game 3. The first two games were full of physical, back-and-forth action, and game 3 did not disappoint. Isaac Jones kicked off the scoring for the Mavs just 2 minutes into the first period with a goal assisted by Deric Richison and Marcus Cornett. Not to be outdone, the Bighorns answered back at the half-way point with a goal by Zack Kent, taking a 1-1 tie into the first intermission. The Mavericks would again open the scoring in the second period, as Tim Kramer would score his third goal in three games, assisted by Phil Angervil and Jack Boatel. After the Bighorns again tied it up, Phil Angervil would put the Mavericks ahead once again with an unassisted goal at the 17:13 mark, his fourth of the series. Looking to seal the deal in the third period, Noah Staten would add the Mavericks’ fourth goal at the 5 minute mark, assisted by Phil Angervil. Not going down without a fight, the Bighorns would take advantage of a bad bounce to score their third goal of the afternoon and draw the game within a single goal. After the Bighorns pulled their goalie and mounted several final scoring attempts, Tyler Dorion, who stopped 29 of 32 shots, and the Mavericks defense would stand tall to take home the game 3 victory and the series. The Mavericks will now move on to face the #1 seeded Metro Jets in round 2. The series will start this Thursday as the Mavs travel north to Fraser, MI for game 1. You can catch all of the playoff action live at <span style="text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-weight:bold"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href=http://www.hockeytv.com target=undefined>www.hockeytv.com</a>.