Photos: Mavericks take Game 1over Komets in Western Conference Finals

The Kansas City Mavericks opened the Western Conference Finals in dominant fashion Friday night, skating past the Fort Wayne Komets with a 5-1 victory at Cable Dahmer Arena. The win gives Kansas City an early 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series as the chase for the Kelly Cup continues.

After a scoreless opening period, the Mavericks broke through early in the second when Luke Loheit found the back of the net just over two minutes into the frame. From there, Kansas City’s offense exploded in the third period, fueled by a relentless forecheck and physical play that kept Fort Wayne on its heels all night.

Jakov Novak doubled the lead early in the third before Lucas Sowder added another to put the Mavericks firmly in control. Fort Wayne finally answered midway through the period with a goal from Kirill Tyutyayev, but Kansas City quickly responded and never let momentum shift back to the visitors. David Cotton capped the night with another Mavericks tally as KC outshot the Komets 37-22.

Goaltender Jack LaFontaine was outstanding between the pipes, turning aside 21 shots and frustrating Fort Wayne’s attack throughout the night. The game also featured plenty of playoff intensity, with scrums and roughing penalties piling up in the third period as emotions boiled over between the two conference finalists.

The Mavericks now look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead when the two teams meet again tonight in Independence before the series shifts to Indiana.

Our photographer Eli Ralls captured all the action: