Pierce's big game bests Denver in 8-5 Missouri win

Jeff Pierce was all over the ice for the Missouri Mavericks, as he tallied two goals and two assists in Missouri's 8-5 win over the Denver Cutthroats.

Pierce's tallies came at 15:20 into the second period to make the score 6-5 Missouri and 11:43 into the third to make the score 8-5 Missouri.

The Mavericks outdid their season average for goals scored. Missouri averages 5.5 goals per game. The Mavericks put 47 shots on net during the contest, more than the 39.5 they average per game.

Missouri also got points from Ryan Jardine, who also grabbed one goal and two assists, Jamie VanderVeeken, who also had one goal and one assist, Kellen Tochkin, who also finished with two goals and one assist, John-Scott Dickson, who also registered one goal and two assists, and Sebastien Thinel, who also racked up one goal and two assists. Other players who recorded assists for Missouri were Matt Krug, who had one and Trevor Kell, who had four.

Denver made Mavericks' netminders to work without much rest, totaling 33 shots and forcing 28 saves. Mike Clemente made 13 stops and Austin Lee made 15.

The Cutthroats were led by A.J. Gale, who tallied three goals and one assist. Denver additionally got points from Kyle Quincey, who also had one goal and one assist. Ben Wilson also scored for Denver. In addition, Denver received assists from Markus Lauridsen, Brett Lutes, and Steve Makway, who contributed one a piece and Troy Schwab and Brad Smyth, who each chipped in two.

Missouri totaled 13 minutes in penalty time with four minors and one major and went 1-for-2 on the power play. Denver's starting goalie, Kieran Millan, made 23 saves and finished with the loss before he was taken out in favor of Kent Patterson, who stopped 16 shots. The Cutthroats totaled 11 minutes in penalty time with three minors and one major and went 1-for-3 on the power play.