KC Mavericks bring weekday hockey spectacle to audience of 4,000 KC students
KC Mavericks Goalie Cale Morris Makes His Way to the Ice Against the Allen Americans at Cable Dahmer Arena. // Photo by Joe Ellett
Over 4,000 students from 51 different schools around the metro were in attendance for the Kansas City Mavericks Kids Day game against the Allen Americans on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The event was presented in partnership with Children’s Mercy Hospital.
On Tuesday morning, students were up bright and early with high anticipation. Not for classes, but to see the KC Mavs take the ice at 10:30 a.m.
Unlike any typical field trip, the thousands of students ranging from elementary to high school made their way to Cable Dahmer Arena for a morning full of skates and slap shots.
“It’s a great opportunity. We have over 65 classrooms from both sides of the state line,” co-owner James Arkell says.
Once the first puck was dropped, the Americans took off, scoring a goal within about the first five minutes of the period. The period carried on with Kansas City putting 19 shots on goal to Allen’s 4, yet neither team was able to scavenge any late points.
As the second period got underway, Allen found the puck in the back of the Maverick’s net once again, but it was going to take much more than that to wipe the smiles off children’s faces as they relished in the thought of being away from their desks.
Ryan Devine gave the kids something to cheer for around the midway mark of the second period when he snuck a slapshot past Allen’s goalie Mark Sinclair off passes from Patrick Curry and Tucker Robertson.
Students and Families at the KC Mavericks Game v. the Allen Americans at Cable Dahmer Arena. // Photo by Joe Ellett
After a goalie interference call left the Mavericks shorthanded near the end of the second, the Americans secured another goal to take a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the final period of play.
With about 13 minutes remaining in the third period Allen scored yet again, leaving the Mavericks in the dust at 4-1. In spite of the large hill to climb, the hometown hockey club never gave up, keeping its foot on the offensive gas throughout the entire game.
Quickly after the Americans went up by three goals, Robertson scored a goal off of assists from Curry and Jacob Hayhurst, his first in a Mavericks uniform.
As pucks slid and skates cut ice, the Mavericks found themselves right back in the game when Cole Coskey found the back of on a routine rebound play with just under five minutes remaining.
Although the Mavericks produced a strong final push as the game came to a close and had a total of 51 shots on goal, they were unable to score again, ultimately taking their third loss of the season in front of the child-crammed crowd.
Nevertheless, students were still exuberant and untroubled, simply due to the fact that they had the opportunity to enjoy a hockey match rather than sit in algebra class.
This does not mean that the event was not a learning experience for the children, however. Fueled by a partnership with Science City, the kids were able to get involved in different learning activities and experiments as the game took place.
KC Mavericks and the Allen Americans skate Off the Ice at Cable Dahmer Arena. // Photo by Joe Ellett
During small breaks and intermissions, the thousands of students turned to the jumbotrons to listen and grasp some of the science-based knowledge behind the sport itself.
Through different demonstrations, the kids were informed on how some of the material that they have learned in class translates to real-life situations like hockey, rounding this trip up to be categorized as an educational expedition.
“The event qualifies as a field trip. We have educational aspects going on and there’s a learning workbook and everything,” Arkell says. “So they can actually come to a hockey game and learn something.”
On a day when the crowd takes precedence, the Mavericks took the opportunity to make sure that all students felt involved and welcomed. They did this by debuting their new sensory space on the second floor of the concourse: A room designed for abled and disabled children to seek comfort in an area away from the hustle and bustle of an action-packed hockey game.
The room is equipped with basic items, yet necessary to have when dealing with overwhelmed children. From snacks and toys to soft rugs and beanbags, the sensory space serves as a great avenue of resort from the game. The area is also located in an accessible space for anyone and everyone to be able to have quick access to the amenities.
KC Mavericks Sensory Space at Cable Dahmer Arena. // Photo by Joe Ellett
“When you’re a parent of a special needs child, depending on where you are, you may have to go quick.”
The lowkey area was seen as a necessity by Arkell, having a disabled child of his own. “It’s a hard enough deal for families, we just wanted to add and make it a little more comfortable.”
The small section of the stadium grants access to a substantial number of students and their families to enjoy a hockey game without the fear of not having a safe spot to tend to their loved one’s needs.
“We have over 80 children who otherwise would not be able to attend had we not built the sensory space,” Arkell says.
Owners Arkell and Lamar Hunt Jr. are both hopeful that the youth exposure of Kansas City’s ECHL club will segway into creating fans for life, and expand hockey culture within the city. “We’re always in need of another sheet of ice,” Hunt Jr. says.
“Our crowd has been amazing over the last few years. We’ve been really trying to make Kansas City aware of what a great team we have,” Arkell says. “Seven and one start, the best we’ve ever had as a team.”
On top of the thrilling emotions that students endured during the game, they were also sent home with goodie bags filled with an array of Mavericks merch and even a ticket for a game later this season.
“Bring your family back out, come experience it. If you don’t have a great time, I don’t know what to tell ya,” Arkell says. “How can you not? It’s loud, it’s exciting, there’s constant action.”
