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Independence, MO —
It’s been more than 48 hours since the Missouri Mavericks’ 4-3 loss Saturday night at home to the Rapid City Rush, but it is still fresh on the mind of coach Scott Hillman.
“We go to Allen, one of the toughest places in the CHL to play, and play for 60 minutes and win (Thursday night),” Hillman said after a Monday morning practice session, “then we come home, don’t play the second period and we lose.
“We gave the game away. That’s unacceptable. We play a wonderful game at Allen, then we come home and don’t even play the second period? In front of our fans? (Rapid City) scores 1:09 into the second period because of a mental lapse.
“Like I said, totally unacceptable.”
The Mavericks are 1-3 at the Independence Events Center this season and have the chance to win one before the hometown fans and get back in the good graces of their coach at 7:05 tonight when archrival Wichita comes to town.
“If we can’t get fired up and play 60 minutes against Wichita, then something is wrong,” Hillman said. “We have 19 healthy players and it’s going to be tough to see who has to sit Tuesday.
“But as far as I’m concerned, this is like a mid-November playoff game. And they better feel that way, too.”
Mathieu Corbeil made 33 saves on 37 shots for the Mavericks Saturday night and he has spent the past five days working with Vancouver Canucks goaltending consultant and former NHL goaltender Dan Cloutier.
“The Canucks sent Dan down to work with Mathieu and we appreciate that,” Hillman said. “They have worked on the ice and watched a lot of video.”
And Corbeil said it has made a difference in his approach to the game.
“It’s been great,” Corbeil said after working with Cloutier the entire Monday morning session. “I have not worked with a goaltending coach since Chicago (of the American Hockey Association, which is affiliated with the Mavericks).
“It’s wonderful to have another set of eyes watching me in the net. I’m a big guy (6-foot-6) and he talks about maintaining control in the net and keeping control in the game.”
Cloutier, who spent time with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks, said Corbeil has been a quick study.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Mathieu,” Cloutier said. “I have some real improvement. He is a big guy, 6-6, and the net is 4-by-6, so he has to use his size to his advantage.
It’s been more than 48 hours since the Missouri Mavericks’ 4-3 loss Saturday night at home to the Rapid City Rush, but it is still fresh on the mind of coach Scott Hillman.
“We go to Allen, one of the toughest places in the CHL to play, and play for 60 minutes and win (Thursday night),” Hillman said after a Monday morning practice session, “then we come home, don’t play the second period and we lose.
“We gave the game away. That’s unacceptable. We play a wonderful game at Allen, then we come home and don’t even play the second period? In front of our fans? (Rapid City) scores 1:09 into the second period because of a mental lapse.
“Like I said, totally unacceptable.”
The Mavericks are 1-3 at the Independence Events Center this season and have the chance to win one before the hometown fans and get back in the good graces of their coach at 7:05 tonight when archrival Wichita comes to town.
“If we can’t get fired up and play 60 minutes against Wichita, then something is wrong,” Hillman said. “We have 19 healthy players and it’s going to be tough to see who has to sit Tuesday.
“But as far as I’m concerned, this is like a mid-November playoff game. And they better feel that way, too.”
Mathieu Corbeil made 33 saves on 37 shots for the Mavericks Saturday night and he has spent the past five days working with Vancouver Canucks goaltending consultant and former NHL goaltender Dan Cloutier.
“The Canucks sent Dan down to work with Mathieu and we appreciate that,” Hillman said. “They have worked on the ice and watched a lot of video.”
And Corbeil said it has made a difference in his approach to the game.
“It’s been great,” Corbeil said after working with Cloutier the entire Monday morning session. “I have not worked with a goaltending coach since Chicago (of the American Hockey Association, which is affiliated with the Mavericks).
“It’s wonderful to have another set of eyes watching me in the net. I’m a big guy (6-foot-6) and he talks about maintaining control in the net and keeping control in the game.”
Cloutier, who spent time with the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning and Vancouver Canucks, said Corbeil has been a quick study.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with Mathieu,” Cloutier said. “I have some real improvement. He is a big guy, 6-6, and the net is 4-by-6, so he has to use his size to his advantage.
“And we worked on all the little small things that make you a better goalie. I believe he will improve game by game, practice by practice. I can’t wait to see him towards the end of the season.”
n The Mavericks got goals Saturday night from Jamie VanderVeeken, John-Scott Dickson and Colt King. All three of the Mavericks’ goals gave them the lead, but all three were answered by the Rush, and Rapid City scored the final two goals to pull out the win. Team captain Sebastien Thinel recorded his 800th career point on a first-period assist.
