Immken fires three and Spartans wrap up sweep in Columbus

By Jim den Hollander  

Editor/Publisher 

Midwesthockey.info 

One of the newest additions to the USPHL’s Great Lakes Division, the Nashville Spartans made themselves right at home with a pair of wins to open their 2023-24 regular season at the OhioHealth Chiller North Arena, home of the Columbus Mavericks. 

The Spartans left no doubt on opening night Friday, burying the Mavericks 6-1. Saturday looked to be more of the same as the visitors again busted out of the gate with an early 2-0 lead and a 16-6 shots margin through the opening 20. 

The Mavs battled back with a goal before the halfway mark of the opening period and tied the game early in the second, but the Spartans responded with another pair in the second and one more down the stretch.  

On Friday, Khyle Flynn (‘03/East Wenatchee, WA) who played in the USPHL’s Mountain division with Provo last season, led the way with two goals and an assist, Gus Immken (‘04/St. Louis, MO) also firing a pair. Hunter Mangan (‘03/Dacono, CO) and Corey Sieczkowski (‘04 San Diego, CA). 

DJ Lyons (‘03/Breaux Bridge, LA) collected the opening game win in goal for the Spartans Jack Hamilton (‘06) had the lone Mavericks goal with Kyle Diehr (‘05/Lewis Center, OH) kicking out 39 of 45 shots in goal. 

The following night Immken notched his third goal of the young season with others added by Austin Micale (‘03/Hamilton, NJ); Ryan Grant (‘03/Cornwall, ON); Mason Skaggs (‘)4/MO) and Sieczkowski. Korey Walker (‘04/Loganvile, GA) chipped in three assists and Logan Givens (‘03/Hendersonville, TN) picked up the win in goal with 27 saves. 

Charlie Nelson (‘04/Columbus, OH) and Hunter Gentz (‘04/Mason, OH) scored the Maverick goals and Bryson Stern (Littleton, CO) kept it close with a 43-save effort in goal. 

This was the lone game of the opening weekend involving a Midwest-based team.  

The Mavericks will stay on home ice, playing host to the defending division champion Toledo Cherokee on Friday while the Spartans hit the road again, facing off in Buffalo against the Great Lakes Division’s other newcomer, the Buffalo Stampede on Friday (Sept. 15) and Saturday.  

The Mavs and Spartans will renew acquaintances the following weekend in the Nashville area.