The Columbus Mavericks kicked off the 2021-22 USPHL season this weekend with a two-game home stand against the newest members of the Great Lakes division, the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones. The weekend was marked by electric goal scoring as the Mavs would tally 9 total across the two games.

The excitement started with the team’s home opener on Friday night as Mavs fans returned to OhioHealth Chiller North for the start of year three. The Cyclones got off to a quick start, netting the first goal just a minute and a half into the opening period. Not knocked off their game plan the Mavs answered back twice before the end of the first with goals by Nik Jozefiak, assisted by Tyler Isherwood and Ethan Bishara, assisted by Eric Podgorny and Nik Jozefiak. The Mavs would be the only ones on the score sheet during the second period as rookie Jared Burkhart would get his first goal of the season, assisted by Carson Johnson and Roman Boffa. The Cyclones would open the scoring in the third period at the 12:05 mark; however, the Mavs would answer back just two minutes later with Ethan Bishara’s second goal of the evening, assisted by Roman Boffa and Zach Waizmann. Bishara’s second goal would hold the lead as the Mavs went on to a 4-2 victory.

Veteran goaltender, Zach Waizmann would get the nod in between the pipes and had a strong opening appearance as he turned away 36 of 38 shots to pick up the victory.

The two teams were back at it on Saturday afternoon for the second game of the series. Looking to keep their foot on the gas pedal and stay firmly in the driver’s seat, the Mavs wasted no time taking the lead with three unanswered first period goals. Recent acquisition, Chance Settles picked up his first goal of the season at the 8:29 mark, assisted by Ethan Bishara and Eric Podgorny. Ethan Bishara would pick up his third goal of the young season just four minutes later with an assist by Chance Settles and Nik Jozefiak. Rookie Jadon Beard would round out the first period scoring with his first goal of the season, assisted by Anton Petroviskiy. The second period would see more of the Mavs on the score sheet and more season firsts as newcomer, Alex Perez would tally his first of the season with assists from Ethan Bishara and Colin Crowley. The Cyclones would open the third period scoring with their lone goal of the game four minutes into the final stanza. As the final minutes ticked off the clock, Colin Crowley would ice the victory with his first goal in a Mavs jersey at the 18:31 mark, assisted by Ethan Bishara and Chance Settles.

Zach Waizmann would get his second start of the season and pick up his second W of the year as he stopped 32 of 33 shots on the night.