Takeaways: Cade Borchardt's OT Winner Sends Kansas City To Western Conference Finals

The Kansas City Mavericks are off to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since the 2012–13 season. Forward Cade Borchardt scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Mavericks over the Idaho Steelheads to win the series 4-1.

Kansas City survived a desperate first period by Idaho, being outshot 26-15 in the frame and finishing the first period tied at 2-2. 

Jeremy McKenna opened the scoring at the 5:21 mark of the frame. The Steelheads responded with consecutive goals from A.J. White and Reece Harsch before the Mavericks evened the score on Max Andreev's marker.

Patrick Curry put Kansas City in front, 3-2, with the second period's lone tally. However, White scored for the second time to tie the game at 3-3 in the third period.

Let's go to the takeaways from Saturday's Game 5 between Kansas City and Idaho.

White Steps Up In Place Of Kawaguchi

Idaho forward Jordan Kawaguchi, who had four goals in his last three games, was fined and suspended by the league for two games for his actions in the second period of Game 4. With one of their main goal scorers out of the lineup, White stepped up for the Steelheads, providing two goals on five shots and finishing with a +2 plus/minus rating.

Four Different Skaters Score For Mavericks

Kansas City has had no shortage of firepower this postseason, consistently seeing contributions from up and down the roster. Game 3 saw seven different players score in Game 3, four different players in Game 4, and four different players found the back of the net in Game 5. McKenna opened the scoring with his fourth of the season; Andreev potted his first; Curry his sixth; and Borchadt, the game-winner, his fourth.

LaFontaine Stops Career-High 53 Shots

Kansas City netminder Jack LaFontaine was under siege through the first 40 minutes of play. The Mavericks netminder saw 26 shots in the first period, allowing two goals, but stopped all 16 in the second frame. 

LaFontaine turned aside seven of eight in the third period and all six in the overtime period. Overall, the former University of Minnesota standout made a career-high 53 saves on Saturday night. It was also the most by a Kansas City goaltender this season.

Walleye Await

The Mavericks are off to the Conference Finals for the first time since the 2012–13 season and the first time since the team joined the ECHL. However, Kansas City will face its toughest test in the Toledo Walleye, who have won their last 22 straight games. The two teams never played during the regular season, so each squad will be getting its first look at one another.

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