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Independence, MO —
The Missouri Mavericks will return to the Independence Events Center for a 7:05 p.m. Saturday game against the Rapid City Rush and coach Scott Hillman’s team is eager to give the hometown fans something to cheer about.
“I want to play at home like we played in Allen,” said forward Brian Bicek, who scored two goals and had two assists in the Mavericks’ 4-3 victory Thursday night at Allen, Texas.
The Americans (9-2) were 4-0 at home before falling to the Mavericks in what Hillman called, “Our best game of the season.”
Bicek is fired up about Saturday’s game as he begins to feel more and more comfortable on the same line as team captain Sebastien Thinel and newcomer Jeff Pierce, who was named the CHL Player of the Week the first week of the season.
“Those guys make it easy for me,” Bicek said. “We were down (2-1) against Allen and we didn’t care. We knew we were going to come back and win that game.
“We need to take that same attitude into the game against the Rush.”
Like every member of the 4-5-2 Mavericks Hillman is not pleased with the team’s 1-2 record at home, especially last Friday’s 7-0 loss to the Bloomington Blaze.
“It’s sure nice to get a win at Allen, so we can forget about that loss to Bloomington,” Hillman said. “You have games like that every now and then, unfortunately for us, it was early in the season and it was at home.
“(Mike) Clemente was outstanding in the goal against Allen. I know that was a big confidence booster for him. We never lost faith or confidence in him, despite his performance in that Bloomington loss.”
Team president and general manager Brent Thiessen was the guest speaker at this week’s Independence Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and he even poked some fun at his own team.
He asked several people what they remembered after attending Mavericks’ home games and they talked about the family atmosphere, the total entertainment package and free parking.
“Not one of you mentioned the score,” Thiessen said, grinning, “and I want to thank you for not mentioning that 7-0 score.”
Tickets in all price ranges remain available for Saturday night’s game. This is the Rush’s only appearance in Independence this season.
The Missouri Mavericks will return to the Independence Events Center for a 7:05 p.m. Saturday game against the Rapid City Rush and coach Scott Hillman’s team is eager to give the hometown fans something to cheer about.
“I want to play at home like we played in Allen,” said forward Brian Bicek, who scored two goals and had two assists in the Mavericks’ 4-3 victory Thursday night at Allen, Texas.
The Americans (9-2) were 4-0 at home before falling to the Mavericks in what Hillman called, “Our best game of the season.”
Bicek is fired up about Saturday’s game as he begins to feel more and more comfortable on the same line as team captain Sebastien Thinel and newcomer Jeff Pierce, who was named the CHL Player of the Week the first week of the season.
“Those guys make it easy for me,” Bicek said. “We were down (2-1) against Allen and we didn’t care. We knew we were going to come back and win that game.
“We need to take that same attitude into the game against the Rush.”
Like every member of the 4-5-2 Mavericks Hillman is not pleased with the team’s 1-2 record at home, especially last Friday’s 7-0 loss to the Bloomington Blaze.
“It’s sure nice to get a win at Allen, so we can forget about that loss to Bloomington,” Hillman said. “You have games like that every now and then, unfortunately for us, it was early in the season and it was at home.
“(Mike) Clemente was outstanding in the goal against Allen. I know that was a big confidence booster for him. We never lost faith or confidence in him, despite his performance in that Bloomington loss.”
Team president and general manager Brent Thiessen was the guest speaker at this week’s Independence Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and he even poked some fun at his own team.
He asked several people what they remembered after attending Mavericks’ home games and they talked about the family atmosphere, the total entertainment package and free parking.
“Not one of you mentioned the score,” Thiessen said, grinning, “and I want to thank you for not mentioning that 7-0 score.”
Tickets in all price ranges remain available for Saturday night’s game. This is the Rush’s only appearance in Independence this season.
