January 28, 2023

By Fred Liggett
sports.lstribune08@gmail.com

On a Sunday afternoon that found the Kansas City Mavericks hosting a division rival in the Allen Americans the play of Mavericks Forward Pascal Laberge stood out.

Laberge scored his 11th goal of the 2022-23 season with just 7:26 left in the third period putting the Mavs within one goal of Allen at 5-4. The crowd spent the rest of the game looking for a game tying goal but the Mavs were denied in a one goal loss.

January 22 found the Mavs hitting the halfway point of the season and thanks to the efforts of Laberge the Mavs came all the way back from a 4-0 second period deficit to close within a game tying goal before the horn sounded on the third period. The game was the 33rd of the season for Laberge who has proven to be a valuable addition to the Mavericks. Laberge has tallied 11 goals and 31 points in those 33 games as he helps the team return to the ECHL playoffs.

Mavericks head coach Tad O’Had says he’s “not surprised” when asked about Laberge’s production this year. O’Had feels Laberge is “a very talented young man, a force offensively and someone who gets to the net.” O’Had is quick to remind everyone that the Mavs traded with Maine for this talented forward. One doesn’t have to be a hockey scout to see why Laberge was a second round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2016 NHL entry draft. The 24-year-old Canadian native has already logged 54 games in the American Hockey League.

Laberge picked up his 100th and 101st professional point in a game against Rapid City on Monday, Jan. 16. The 6’1” right hander is enjoying his first season in Kansas City saying “owe success to my line mates, been doing well since the holiday break.” Laberge likes his teammates saying of Hugo Roy “opens things up” and of veteran Loren Ulett “a tough one out there.” On his power play goal that drew the Mavs within one goal on a possible comeback win Laberge says “lots of chances there, felt really good to get one there.”

Up next for the Mavericks is a pair of home games out of the division against the Wheeling Nailers. Coach O’Had says, “They are a hard working team, will be a good test out of division.” For Mavs fans attending don’t be surprised to see Pascal Laberge do something that will make them move to the edge of their seats that will become a Maverick Moment to remember.