Photos: Mavericks dominate Everblades in Electric Kelly Cup Finals opener
Photo by Eli Ralls
The atmosphere inside Cable Dahmer Arena felt different from the moment the puck dropped Friday night. Every hit was louder, every scrum lasted a little longer, and every shift carried the intensity that only playoff hockey can deliver. In front of a packed and energized crowd, the Kansas City Mavericks opened the 2026 Kelly Cup Finals in dominant fashion, shutting out the Florida Everblades 6-0 to take a 1-0 series lead.
Kansas City wasted little time establishing control of the game. Jakov Novak opened the scoring midway through the first period, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and setting the tone for the night. Later in the opening frame, Hudson Wilson doubled the Mavericks’ advantage as Kansas City continued to pressure Florida at both ends of the ice.
The Mavericks continued to dominate in the second period. Jack Randl found the back of the net early in the frame before Luke Loheit extended the lead with another Kansas City goal. Landon McCallum added to the offensive explosion, and just 24 seconds later Jimmy Glynn buried another chance to cap off a four-goal period for the Mavericks. By the end of the second, Kansas City held a commanding 6-0 lead and had complete control of Game 1.
While the scoreboard favored the Mavericks, the game featured plenty of the physical edge expected in a championship series. Multiple scrums broke out throughout the contest as tempers flared between the two teams. Roughing penalties were handed out on both sides, and several players were forced off the ice to serve penalties as the intensity of the Kelly Cup Finals began to boil over.
The energy inside the arena never faded. An almost sold-out crowd brought playoff hockey fever to Independence, creating one of the loudest atmospheres of the season. Every big save, blocked shot, and goal was met with deafening cheers as Kansas City fed off the momentum from its home fans.
As loud as the crowd was for every Mavericks goal, some of the biggest cheers of the night were reserved for Jack LaFontaine. The Kansas City goaltender delivered a masterclass between the pipes, stopping everything the Everblades threw his way to record a shutout in Game 1 of the Kelly Cup Finals. Time and again, LaFontaine slammed the door on Florida’s chances, frustrating the visitors and energizing the crowd with every save. In a game filled with physical play, scrums, and playoff intensity, the Mavericks’ netminder stood tall from start to finish and gave Kansas City the kind of championship-caliber goaltending that can swing a series.
Behind the offensive outburst and a flawless defensive effort, the Mavericks secured a statement victory to begin the Kelly Cup Finals and put the defending champions on notice.
Kansas City will look to carry that momentum into Game 2 tonight at Cable Dahmer Arena as the Mavericks aim to extend their series lead before the Finals shift to Florida.
Our photographer Eli Ralls was there to capture the dominating victory.
