The month of February was a very busy time for the Missouri Mavericks, as they played four games a week during the month, and as the calendar turns to March, the load will lighten up a little, though their quest for momentum continues.
The week began on the road with a match against the Indy Fuel on Tuesday, and like many of the weeks this season, the Mavericks were able to start it off right, as they took the game 5-3. Wednesday, they traveled to Fort Wayne for a two-game series with the Komets, and that also ended up with a positive result, as they took the game 4-3. However, Friday was a different story, as the Mavericks were able to get one point in the standings, but couldn't close the deal in overtime, as the Komets scored for a 4-3 result in their favor. Sunday, the Mavericks returned home for a game against Rapid City, and thanks to Steven Summerhays, the Mavericks closed out the week with a 3-0 shutout victory.
The Mavericks have two games this weekend with rivals Wichita on Friday and Tulsa on Sunday.
In an effort to bolster their push for the Kelly Cup, the Missouri Mavericks made some moves yesterday. Zach Cohen and Garrett Ladd will join the Mavericks while Scott Wamsganz will be joining his third team this season after the Mavericks traded him to the Alaska Aces for future considerations.
Cohen comes from the Rapid City Rush with a score line of seven goals and nine assists. Ladd will make the Mavericks his third team of the season after splitting time with both Adirondack and Elmira, notching three goals and three assists. Wamsganz had been acquired from Orlando a few weeks ago and suited up for five games before being sent to Alaska.
Things are still moving for the Missouri Mavericks as they will finish their road trip this week. However, they had to play three games at Tulsa and Rapid City. Last Tuesday, the Mavericks needed a shootout to beat Tulsa 4-3, and after the game, the Mavericks saw goaltender Stephon Williams assigned to them while Loic Leduc was called up to Bridgeport. Friday and Saturday, the Mavericks spent those days in Rapid City, SD to take on the Rush in back-to-back games. The first half wasn't kind, as the Mavericks could only muster an overtime loss, dropping a 2-1 decision. Saturday, the Mavericks did better, beating the Rush 3-1 and were able to get five out of six points in the standings for the week.
The Mavericks finish their road trip this week, as they travel to Wichita to take on the Thunder on Tuesday before heading to Windsor, CO to take on the Colorado Eagles on Friday and Saturday. They will have two new faces, as left winger Quinn Smith and defenseman Mike Donnellan were signed to standard player contracts today.
And now for something off the beaten path: a Rush DVD. Having been around for the better part of 40 years, this Canadian trio has endured a lot just to be around this long, and as evidenced by their most recent tour, they don't plan on slowing down anytime soon. Today covers one of their many releases, as this blog takes you to Brazil, or more specifically, Rush is taking you to Brazil. This DVD, filmed on the Vapor Trails tour in 2003, was shot on the band's first trek to Brazil, and looking at the crowd there (it was filmed in a football stadium, which should tell you how big music is in South America), they were ready to open their arms to Rush. The band did not disappoint, as they played songs from their entire discography, ranging from songs off of Vapor Trails and Test for Echo to classics such as "Free Will" and "Spirit of Radio." Nothing beats seeing a band in person, but DVDs such as Rush in Rio are proof that the experience is just as fruitful in the comfort of your own home.
2009-2010 record: 30-38-14 (74 points)
Did not qualify for the playoffs
Captain: Dion Phaneuf
Alternate captains: Francois Beauchemin, Mike Komisarek
3 players to watch: The key to Toronto getting its swagger back begins with newly appointed captain Dion Phaneuf. Acquired in a trade with Calgary last year, he found new life in an even bigger pressure cooker. Now, with the additional responsibilities, he will be asked to continue to bring stability to a locker room desperately in need of it. Even though he has played all of one NHL game in his career, all eyes are on Nazem Kadri. The 2009 first round pick has had a lot of hype, and it remains to be seen if he can handle the bright lights of Toronto. If all goes well, expect him to be a second line center by the end of this year. For all of the grief that Toronto got for trading its first round pick this year to Boston, which turned out to be Tyler Seguin, the Maple Leafs got a pretty good return in Phil Kessel. Even though he didn't play a full season due to injuries, Kessel still managed 30 goals last year, which was far and away, the best total on the team. Without it, the Maple Leafs would have likely been challenging for the first overall pick (if they didn't trade that, as well).
Things to look for: To put things plainly, the Maple Leafs were miserable. Now, granted, they began to find their game in February, it also took the additions of Phaneuf, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and Tyler Bozak, as well as jettisoning the contracts of Jamal Mayers, Matt Stajan, and Jason Blake. Giguere added a veteran presence in goal, which in turn, brought out the best in Jonas Gustavsson. It will be interesting to see who emerges as the number one goalie, as both would love to prove their worth. The blue line is full of heavy hitters, but not much in the way of a puck moving defenseman. The hope is that either Phaneuf or Luke Schenn will rediscover that part of their game. Offense was a major issue, as there was a precipitous fall off from Kessel. Kris Versteeg, Bozak, and Kadri are all expected to take a huge step towards helping the offense. Naturally, both special teams were terrible, so improving the numbers is imperative.
Prediction: 13th in the East
Song: Rush-The Spirit of Radio
Much like radio, which has been compromised by corporations and prizes, the Maple Leafs have been compromised by ownership through the years. Having been nowhere near a Stanley Cup since 1967, the Maple Leafs haven't found the right combination for that elusive prize.
