Overtime winner advances Mavericks to Kelly Cup Finals

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - With some dramatic overtime heroics, the Kansas City Mavericks advanced to the Kelly Cup Finals.

Jakov Novak scored an overtime winner to beat the Fort Wayne Komets, 4-3, on Tuesday night at Cable Dahmer Arena.

It’s the second time in the last three seasons the Mavericks have punched their ticket to the Kelly Cup Finals. The Game 6 win over Fort Wayne came in overtime after the Komets tied the game with 5 seconds remaining in the third period.

“It’s tough giving up a goal with five seconds left in a game,” said Novak. “You gotta have a group like we do here that’s resilient. We kinda just put that behind us. We’re like, ‘alright, it’s a new period. It’s a new game. Let’s go get one.’”

Head coach Tad O’Had said there was a sense of relief and excitement following the game-winner.

“This group’s worked so darn hard all year,” O’Had said. “I absolutely loved seeing them get that goal and win the Western Conference Championship.”

The Kelly Cup Finals will now feature the Mavericks and the Florida Everblades, who won the Eastern Conference Finals in five games. That series starts Friday at Cable Dahmer Arena and will be televised on KSMO-TV (62.1).

The puck drops at 7:05 p.m.