The Columbus Mavericks spent the weekend in larger and unfamiliar confines as they hosted a neutral-site home series in the Covelli Centre, home of the USPHL’s Youngstown Phantoms. Although the 5,900 seats were empty due to current venue restrictions, the big arena provided the perfect setting for some big action. The Mavs kicked off the series on Friday night with a 7-3 victory that was marked by a banner performance by team Captain, Deric Richison, who tallied 5 points on the evening. Newcomer, Hayden Ripley kicked off the scoring with the first goal of the game just two minutes in. Half-way through the period, Deric Richison netted his first goal of the game, assisted by Jack Bortle. After the Thunder scored one of their own, Jack Bortle would tally the Mavericks’ third goal of the game at the 19 minute mark, assisted by Tyler Dickerson and Ethan Bishara. The second period was all Mr. Richison, as he scored his second (assisted by Isaac Jones and Marcus Cornett) and third (unassisted) goals of the game to carry the Mavs into the second intermission with a 5-1 lead. The Thunder answered back, scoring two goals at the beginning of the third period to draw within two goals. Deric Richison responded with his 4th goal of the game just two minutes later, assisted by Max Williams and Isaac Jones. Tim Kramer would round out the scoring at the 14 minute mark, assisted by Ethan Bishara and Deric Richison. Tyler Dorion got the call between the pipes and turned away 29 of the 32 shots he faced on the night. As if Friday’s game didn’t have enough action, Saturday’s matchup was one for the ages, marked by pairs of goals for three Mavericks players and an outstanding performance in net. Looking to bounce back from their previous night defeat, the Buffalo Thunder came out strong in the first period, scoring 4 goals. The Mavs did their best to answer back with goals by Jack Bortle, assisted by Tim Kramer and Ethan Bishara, Ethan Bishara, assisted by Tim Kramer, and Ethan Bishara, assisted by George Zimmerer and Jack Bortle. The second period was all Buffalo, as they scored two goals in the first half of the period to take a 6-3 lead. From the half-way point on; however, it was all Mavericks.  Hitting the ice for the third period, the Mavericks were facing a 6-3 deficit to overcome in the remaining 20 minutes. Jordan Winrod kicked off the scoring surge with a pair of back-to-back goals at 1:51 (assisted by Danny Beebe and Tyler Dickerson) and 8:27 (assisted by Marcus Cornett). Jack Bortle then scored his second of the night, assisted by Tim Kramer and Ethan Bishara, becoming the third Mavericks player to notch a pair of goals on the night, and tying the game at 6. With just under five minutes remaining, newcomer Danny Beebe popped in the go-ahead goal, assisted by Keegan Hoover. The Mavs would hold onto this lead to win the game 7-6 in dramatic fashion. While the Mavs offense ignited the third period scoring surge, the comeback was led by rookie Goaltender, Drew Donahue who came in to relieve Tyler Dorion half way through the second period and held the team in the game. In only his second game action of the season, Donahue stopped all 17 shots he faced, including some exciting scrambling saves. The Mavericks are off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but return to action December 4th and 5th with a home-and-home series against the Metro Jets.