First period slump costs Mavericks in home loss to Tulsa

The Missouri Mavericks gave up back-to-back goals to the Tulsa Oilers in Monday night’s first period, and failed to make up the difference, in a 3-2 loss at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence.

The Oklahomans had Emerson Clark scored twice in the opening stanza (17:28 and 18:18 into the first period), giving the Oilers a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.  Missouri sliced the deficit in half on a Dane Fox goal just 46 seconds into the second period, but the Mavericks offense fizzled for the rest of the period, as Tulsa led 2-1 after two.

The Oilers lead ballooned to 3-1 just 5:13 into the third period on a tally by Garrett Ladd.  Kyle Schempp brought Mavs to within 3-2 on a goal with 1:12 to go.  

Josh Robinson made 35 saves for Missouri, with Ville Husso getting the night off after two weekend starts against Alaska.  The Mavericks next game is Friday night at 7:05 at border rival Wichita.