Allen Loses 5-2, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Week Ahead, Utah HC Practice Facility, Shootout Shooter Record and More

 

The Allen Americans lost to the Idaho Steelheads 5-2 last night in a game that was not as close as the score. Idaho scored 24 seconds after the opening puck drop and the die was cast. The game was very similar to the 7-0 shutout on Wednesday. Idaho scored three first period goals in both games followed up by two second period goals while holding Allen scoreless. Allen went on a scoring spree (by recent standards) late in the third period with two goals by Miko Matikka to make the final score 5-2.

 

- The Americans scoring drought lasted over 188 minutes (188:52). From a third period goal by Noah Kane in a 3-1 loss to Utah on March 16th to Matikka's first goal in the third period last night.  The minutes grow when you look at first and second period goals. It has been 361:25 since Allen has scored a second period goal and 434:24 since the Americans have scored a first period goal. 

 

- The reason it is so important for Allen to score early in games is the Americans do not play well from behind, especially compared to Idaho. Here are the stats to prove the point:

• 2-27-2-0: Allen's record when trailing after the first period.
• 16-0-2-0: Idaho's record when leading after the first period.
• 2-35-2-1: Allen's record when trailing after the second period.  
• 22-0-1-0: Idaho's record when leading after the second period.  

Allen trailed after all nine periods in the series with Idaho. The Americans have two more games against Idaho at home (April 4,5). Those games will be meaningless to Allen but most likely critical to Idaho. If Allen is going to play the spoiler, scoring early will be key.

 

- Allen was outscored 13-2 in the series with Idaho and outshot 113-91. What really hurt was the Americans continued futility on the power play. Allen was 0-11 (0.0%). Idaho was 2-11 (18.2%). Allen has now gone a full month without scoring a power play goal. The Americans have not scored a power play goal in their last 11 games, going 0-39. The power play that was once ranked #3 (22.0%) in the league has now fallen to #25 (15.5%). 

- If you are looking for positives from the series there is not much. Allen averaged 30.33 shots per game and held Idaho under 40 shots per game (37.67). That was not happening earlier in the season. Allen also had the same number of power play opportunities as Idaho (11) which is an improvement. Each team had 39 penalty minutes. Two goals doesn't sound like much, but Allen scoring the two late game goals last night was more goals than the Americans have scored in any of the last six games. Miko Matikka scored his third and fourth goal since joining the Americans 16 games ago. 

 

Here are the game recaps from both teams and the video highlights:

• Allen Americans game recap:
  https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/03/game-recap-americans-end-scoring-drought-in-loss-to-idaho 
• Idaho Steelheads game recap: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2025/03/steelheads-complete-series-sweep-with-5-2-win-over-americans 
• Video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-mar-22-2025
  

 

- The Americans now move on to a series with Utah next Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Here is the schedule for the next week:

• Sunday: day off in Boise
• Monday: bus to Salt Lake City 
• Monday night: team is set up to attend the Utah HC vs Detroit Red Wings game
• Tuesday: practice at Utah HC practice facility
• Wednesday: play Utah
• Thursday: practice
• Friday: play Utah
• Saturday: play Utah
• Sunday: fly home

 

- The practice on Tuesday will be at Utah's temporary practice facility (they are building a permanent one). The temporary practice facility is at the Olympic Oval and the hockey rink is in the middle of the speed skating track. When the players leave the locker room, they walk on carpet laid over a running track and skate across a 400-meter speed skating oval known as the "Fastest Ice on Earth." The hockey rink is in the middle of the oval and has been converted from Olympic size to NHL size. The players might be able to take a lap around the oval depending on its schedule. Here is a photo that shows the track, the oval and the hockey rink.

 

Utah HC temporary practice facility at Olympic Oval

 - Here is a story about the practice facility done by the local television station: 

- I will have a complete series preview next week, but the three games against Utah will be Allen's best chance to get back on the winning track. Allen has a winning record against Utah (3-2-1-0) and the Grizzlies are also struggling. Allen's record in the last 10 games is 1-8-1-0, Utah's is 2-7-1-0. Here is Allen's record against its remaining opponents with games remaining against each team in parenthesis:

• 1-5-2-1: Tulsa (4 games)
• 3-2-1-0: Utah (3 games)
• 0-4-0-0: Idaho (2 games)
• 3-7-2-0: Wichita (1 game) 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The Mountain Division had the same results last night as on Friday night. Allen, Utah, Rapid City and Tulsa lost. Kansas City, Tahoe, Wichita and Idaho won. No teams has clinched a playoff spot yet. Here is a different look at the standings. The maximum points each team can earn if they win all remaining games. Current points are in parenthesis:

• 107 points - Kansas City (89)
• 99 points - Tahoe (81)
• 97 points - Wichita (77)
• 94 points - Tulsa (76)
• 93 points - Idaho (73)
• 83 points - Rapid City (63)
• 64 points - Utah (48)
• 58 points - Allen (38)

Every time a team loses a game the maximum points are reduced. Once the maximum points are lower any other team's current points the team can't be caught. For example, Allen's maximum points is 58. Every other team, except Utah, already has more than 58 points. Even if the Americans win their last 10 games the only team they could catch is Utah. 

- The Americans have contributed to several players winning Player of the Week, Goalie of the Week, Player of the Month and Goalie of the Month even with their poor play this season. It is going to happen again this week for Idaho Goalie Ben Kraws. He is a lock for ECHL Goalie of the Week. Kraws was 3-0 this week with two shutouts. He saved 89 of 91 shots for a save percentage of .978 and had a GAA of 0.66.

 

- Here are Allen's goal scorers the last 14 games when the Americans scored only 19 goals, an average of 1.36 goals per game.  

• 4 goals - Matikka
• 2 goals - Brassard
• 2 goals - Warmuth
  
• 2 goals - Jacobs
• 2 goals - Isaacson
• 1 goal - Powell
  
• 1 goal - Kane
  
• 1 goal - Wilson
  
• 1 goal - Nault
  
• 1 goal - Westcott
  
• 1 goal - Watts
• 1 goal - Duarte 

 

- The change of scenery has been good for Kyle Crnkovic. He has played five games since going to Toledo and has five points (2G, 3A) including one game winning goal. Toledo is in first place in the Central Division, 10 points ahead of second place Fort Wayne. 

DID YOU KNOW:  There was an 11 round, 22 shooter shootout on Friday in Reading’s 2-1 win over Norfolk. Shane Sellar, Reading’s 11th shooter scored the game winner. The 22 shooters was not close to the all time record. Here are the top three all-time:

 

21 rounds, 42 shooters - Evansville beat Florida 5-4 on Feb. 22, 2013. Andre Bouvet-Morrisette scored the game winner. 

 

21 rounds, 42 shooters - Hampton Roads beat Birmingham 7-6, on Oct. 16, 1992. Brett Barnett scored the game winner.

 

20 rounds, 40 shooters - Fresno beat Phoenix 3-2, on Nov. 5, 2008. The game winner was scored by Spencer Carbery, who is now the head coach of the Washington Capitals.

   

Another Defeat, Game Recap, Coach's Comments, Video Highlights, Tonight's Preview, Former Players in DEL Playoffs, Longest Winning Streaks and More

 

If moral victories counted Allen would be a playoff team. Seems like almost every game, including last night, you can point to positives such as the Americans held Idaho, who averages 3.43 goals per game, to just one goal. You also can say Allen had plenty of scoring chances, the Americans got great goaltending and the team never gave up the fight. The bottom line is this team is just not good enough to win. The Americans have had one winning streak of three games all season. That was the three game sweep of Rapid City at the end of January. Allen has had six losing streaks longer than the Americans lone three game winning streak:

• 5 games - 10/24 - 11/1
• 8 games - 12/3 - 12/20
• 5 games - 12/22 - 1/3
• 7 games - 1/10 - 1/25
• 12 games - 2/2 - 3/1
• 6 games - 3/6 - 3/21 (still active)

 

- Here are the facts:

• Allen was shutout 1-0 last night. 
• Allen was shutout in back-to-back games for the second time this season.
• Allen has been shutout eight times (1-0, 7-0, 4-0, 5-0, 6-0, 4-0, 9-0, 4-0)
  
• Allen has lost six straight games.
• Allen has scored 1,0,1,1,0,0 goals in the last six games (0.50 per game)
  
• Allen has lost 18 of the last 19 games.
• Allen is last in goals scored (140).
• Allen is last in points (38).
• Allen is last in point percentage (.311).
• Allen is last in overtime point percentage (.231).
• Allen is last in scoring first point percentage (.479). 
• Allen has 14 wins, no other team has fewer than 20.
• Allen has six home wins, no other team has fewer than 10.
• Allen has the two longest home losing streaks in the ECHL this season (10 & 9 games).
• Allen is last in average goals scored (2.30).
• Allen is last in average goals allowed (4.11)
• Allen is last in average shots allowed (38.07). 
• Allen hasn't scored a power play goal in the last 10 games (0-35).  

 

- There is no time left for moral victories. Allen has 11 games remaining and needs some "real" wins to avoid the ECHL record book for single season ineptness. They are not going to be at the top of any list, but unless the Americans can secure a few wins they will be in the record book (usually 6-8 teams depending on categories) several times. 

- In the game preview yesterday I list five things Allen needed to do to win. Here is how they fared:

- What does Allen have to do to be competitive tonight and earn points?

• Allen has to score the first goal of the game. Idaho is 20-1-6-1 (.839) when it scores first.  Allen gave up the first goal for the sixth straight game.
  
• Allen has to score a power play goal. Currently on a 0-31 drought. Allen went 0-4 and has not scored a power play goal in 10 games.
• Allen has to score four goals, something it has done once (won the game) in the last 18 games. Not even close!
• Allen has to hold Idaho under 40 shots. Allen allowed 38 shots so made this goal
  
• Allen has to have more power play opportunities than Idaho. Allen was 0-4 on the power play, Idaho was 1-5.

 

- Here are the game recaps from both teams and the video highlights:

• Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/03/game-recap-americans-solid-effort-falls-short 
• Idaho Steelheads game recap: https://idahosteelheads.com/news/2025/03/ben-kraws-records-second-straight-shutout-making-31-saves-in-1-0-victory
• Video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/allen-americans-vs-idaho-steelheads-mar-21-2025

 

- Here is what coach Ferguson had to say when I contacted him after the game. Unlike my diatribe above, his job is to stay positive:

"We played a complete game tonight except for scoring,"

"It was a playoff type game with great atmosphere in the arena."

"It was physical, there were lots of chances at both ends and there was great goaltending by both goalies. Luke Richardson was the best player on the ice."

"This scoring drought has to end, but we keep banging that ketchup bottle."

FYI, Ferguson's ketchup bottle reference is to a quote from former NHL player, Teemu Selanne, who played 21 years, mostly with the Anaheim Ducks. Selanne compared scoring droughts to a bottle of ketchup, "You know how you can't get the ketchup out of the bottle and you keep beating on it and beating on it, and nothing comes out. Then all of a sudden, here it comes, splat! That is how it is with goal scorers. You have to be patient. As long as you keep getting your chances, you feel it is going to happen."

 

- I won't bore you with all of the typical keys to the game, but will share this one. The Americans will have to score as many or more goals tonight than the total goals they have score in the last six games. Allen has scored three goals in the last six games.

 

- If you didn't like the officiating last night you won't like it tonight. This will be the third game for Sam Heidemann (#22) and the second working with a partner (#42) Ryan Seigel. Heidemann called six penalties working alone on Wednesday and the pair called 13 penalties last night. You could see even more penalties tonight. 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- The bottom three teams in the Mountain Division standings (Allen, Utah, Rapid City) all lost least night. It was a particularly tough loss for Rapid City who was playing Wichita, the team the Rush is trying to catch to make the playoffs. Rapid City fought back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to tie the score early in the third period only to lose 4-3. You know it is an important game when arguably the best player on each team, who lead their team in points, drop the gloves for the first time this season. Rapid City's Ryan Wagner and Wichita's Michal Stinil were the participants. I don't normally post video highlights from other games, but if you like highlights these are great. All the goals, two fights and a bunch of saves by both goalies. The loss all but eliminates Rapid City from playoff contention. With 11 games remaining Rapid City trails forth place Wichita by 12 points and fifth place Idaho by eight points. https://echl.com/videos/wichita-thunder-vs-rapid-city-rush-mar-21-2025

 

- The big weekend in the ECHL continues tonight as many teams are battling for playoff spots. There are 12 games on the ECHL schedule tonight. All eight Mountain Division teams are in action, all games are within the division and they all have playoff implications:

• Utah at Kansas City
• Tahoe at Tulsa
• Wichita at Rapid City
• Allen at Idaho 

Here is the ECHL Today with the previews: https://echl.com/news/2025/03/echl-today-march-22

- The top league in Germany (DEL) and one of the best leagues in Europe, is in the middle of the playoffs. Several former Allen players are still playing. The playoffs are in the quarterfinals.

• Alex Breton (2018-20) and Sam Ruopp (2020-21) play for ERC Ingolstadt and lead their best of seven series 2-1.
• Les Lancaster (2019-20) and Konrad Abeltshauser (2014-15) play for EHC Munchen and lead their best of seven series 2-1.

If both teams continue to advance they would meet in the finals. FYI, there are 14 teams in the DEL and there are eight teams left in the playoffs. 

 

DID YOU KNOW: Here are the longest winning streaks in the ECHL this season and all-time. The all-time record of 23, set by South Carolina in 2015, is memorable to Allen fans. South Carolina was the big  favorite over the upstart Allen Americans who had just arrived in the ECHL from the Central Hockey League. Allen came back from a 3-1 deficit to Ontario in the Conference just to make it to the finals. The finals series started in Allen and South Carolina took a 2-1. Allen won game four in double overtime and game five in overtime before South Carolina tied the series 3-3. The teams headed back to Allen for game seven, where Allen chased the ECHL MVP goalie on the way to a 6-1 win and their third straight championship and first Kelly Cup. Here are the winning streaks:

 

THIS SEASON

13: Wheeling

11: Rapid City

10: Norfolk

9: South Carolina (still active)

 

ALL-TIME

23: South Carolina, 2015

18: Toledo, 2023

17: Colorado, 2017*

17: Cincinnati, 2008*

15: Victoria, 2009

14: Toledo, 2024

14: Missouri, 2015

14: Louisiana, 2001

14: Knoxville, 1994

 

*Won Kelly Cup

Allen vs Idaho Preview, Keys to the Game, Idaho's High Scoring Defensemen, Allen's All-time Points Leaders, NHL/AHL Contracted Players Assigned and More

 

After the 7-0 shellacking the Idaho Steelheads gave Allen on Wednesday it looks to be a difficult weekend for the Americans. The game tonight will be just the third of six games between these teams this season. Allen has 12 games remaining and four of them are against Idaho. Tonight and tomorrow night in Idaho and in Allen on April 4 and 5.

 

- Here are the cumulative totals in the two games these teams have played:

• Idaho has outscored Allen 13-2
• Idaho has outshot Allen 80-63
• Allen is 0-5 on the power play
• Idaho in 0-2 on the power play
• Allen has taken five penalties for 13 minutes
• Idaho has taken eight penalties for 19 minutes  

 

- Here is how Allen and Idaho rank in some key statistics:

• Goals scored average: Allen #29 (2.33) - Idaho #7 (3.47)
• Goals allowed average: Allen #29 (4.17) - Idaho #22 (3.35)
• Shots for average: Allen #18 (29.5) - Idaho #3 (33.85)
• Shots against average: Allen #29 (38.07) - Idaho #25 (34.32)
• Power play percentage: Allen #25 (16.1%) - Idaho #3 (21.8%)
• Penalty kill percentage: Allen #15 (80.5%) - Idaho #19 (79.7%)
• Team save percentage: Allen #22 (.891) - Idaho #13 (.903)
• Shooting percentage: Allen #29 (7.9%) - Idaho #10 (10.1%)
  

 

-  When you look at the stats above and add in the fact that Allen has scored just 12 goals in its last 17 games (1.4 per game) and hasn't scored a power play goal in its last nine games (0-31), the Americans will have an uphill battle tonight. 

 

- Idaho added two defenseman in the win on Wednesday that makes the Steelheads much stronger. Reigning ECHL Defenseman of the Year, Patrick Kudla, returned to the lineup after missing a month because of an injury. Rookie defenseman, Parker Berge, played his first game for Idaho after being assigned to the Steelheads by Ontario (AHL). Here is the firepower Allen will face from the Idaho defensemen:

• Matt Register - Leads all ECHL defensemen in assists (44) and is #3 in points (49).
• Patrick Kudla - Averaged a point per game last season. 
• Parker Berge - Leads all ECHL rookie defensemen in points (39) and is #7 among all defensemen.

Allen's entire defensive corp has 75 points this season. Register, Kudla and Berge have 111 points. If you include all Idaho defenseman the Steelheads have totaled 181 points this season.   

 

- What does Allen have to do to be competitive tonight and earn points?

• Allen has to score the first goal of the game. Idaho is 20-1-6-1 (.839) when it scores first.
• Allen has to score a power play goal. Currently on a 0-31 drought.
• Allen has to score four goals, something it has done once (won the game) in the last 18 games.
• Allen has to hold Idaho under 40 shots.
• Allen has to have more power play opportunities than Idaho.

 

- I will post the lineup on Facebook and X later today, but if you track ECHL transactions you noticed a couple of changes for the Americans yesterday. 

• Defenseman Artyom Kulakov, who was injured in the game against Utah on March 16, has been placed on the 14-day injured reserve. 
• Defenseman Cole Fraser was placed on reserve and will sit out tonight.
• Defenseman Kenny Johnson was activated from 14-day IR and is expected to be in the lineup tonight for the first time since February 7. 
  

 

- Referee Sam Heidemann (#22), who was the lone referee on Wednesday, will be joined by Ryan Siegel (#42) tonight. Heidemann let the players play for the most part on Wednesday calling only six minor penalties. Would expect you will see more penalties tonight. 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Idaho defenseman Matt Register is a sure fire ECHL Hall of Famer after he hangs up his skates. The three time Kelly Cup champion (one with Allen) and three time ECHL Defenseman of the Year is having another great season at the age of 35. His 44 assists is ranked #4 among all ECHL players. His 49 points is more than any Allen Americans player. Register has been a thorn in Allen's side so many times over the years. Don't be surprised if he has a key assist or goal against Allen this weekend.

 

- Had someone ask me how close Spencer Asuchak is to passing Chad Costello for the Allen franchise  points record. In the history of the Americans, four players have totaled more than 175 career points. Here is the list with games played in parenthesis:

• 422 points - Chad Costello (282 games)
• 363 points - Spencer Asuchak (496 games)
• 213 points - Jack Combs (162 games)
• 183 points - Gary Steffes (228 games)   

 

CORRECTION 

- When I posted the all-time points list (above) earlier this morning I forgot to include games played for Allen in the Central Hockey League. The stats above are ECHL games only. Here are the players with 175 or more points when you combine the CHL and ECHL points:

• 422 - Chad Costello (282 games)
• 419 - Spencer Asuchak (562 games)
• 235 - Bruce Graham (185 games)
• 225 - Greger Hanson (195 games)
• 213 - Jack Combs (162 games)
• 183 - Gary Steffes (228 games)
• 178 - Colton Yellow Horn (168 games)

 

- The official records only include regular season games. If you look at all games, regular season and playoffs, there are 10 players that have totaled 200 or more points. A who's who of Allen Americans hockey:

• 502 - Chad Costello
• 482 - Spencer Asuchak
• 302 - Greger Hanson
• 287 - Bruce Graham
• 225 - Gary Steffes
• 221 - Jack Combs
• 219 - Colton Yellow Horn
• 210 - David Makowski
• 209 - Tyler Ludwig
• 201 - Jarret Lukin
• 199 - Jamie Schaafsma

Had to throw in Schaafsma as he is only one point short, and the only other player with more than 175 career points.

 

- This will be a big weekend in the ECHL as many teams will be trying to clinch a playoff spot or battle for a playoff spot. There are 13 games on the ECHL schedule tonight. All eight Mountain Division teams are in action, all games are within the division and they all have playoff implications:

• Utah at Kansas City
• Tahoe at Tulsa
• Wichita at Rapid City
• Allen at Idaho 

Here is the ECHL Today with the previews for all 13 games: https://echl.com/news/2025/03/echl-today-march-21

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about the number of NHL/AHL contracted players assigned to the top teams in each division. FYI, Allen has three players assigned. Goalie Anson Thornton  (contracted with Tucson) and forward Miko Matikka (contracted with Utah, NHL) are on the active roster. Will Gavin (contracted with Tucson) has been on the 14-day injured reserve since February 1.  

 

Here are the number of NHL/AHL contracted players assigned to the top two teams in each ECHL division. Makes a big difference for some teams. Whether each team’s NHL and AHL affiliate makes the playoffs could impact these numbers. Best case for ECHL teams is if both their NHL and AHL affiliates miss the playoffs.

North

Trois Rivières: 4

Wheeling: 10

 

South

Florida: 6

South Carolina: 14

 

Central

Toledo: 2

Fort Wayne: 4

 

Mountain

Kansas City: 5

Tahoe: 9

  

Allen Suffers 7th Shutout, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Comments, All-Time Worst Losses, PP Woes, Trade Deadline Today and More

 

It wasn't the worst loss in team history, but it sure felt like it if you endured Allen's 7-0 loss in Idaho last night. It was the seventh time this season the Americans have been shutout and none of them have been pretty. Here is a trip down memory lane:

• 4-0: Kansas City at home (October 25)
• 9-0: Kansas City at home (October 26)
• 4-0: Tulsa at home (November 9)
• 6-0: Indy on the road (December 13)
• 5-0: Tulsa on the road (February 2)
• 4-0: Jacksonville at home (March 7)
• 7-0: Idaho on the road (March 19) 

- The game last night was reminiscent of so many losses this season, it was over early. Allen has scored 37 goals in the first period this season and allowed 79 for a goal differential of -42. Last night Idaho took a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looked back. The Americans lost their fifth straight game and their 17th in the last 18 games. 

 

- This stat captures just how bad the 2024-25 season has been for the Allen Americans. In the 16 year history of the Allen Americans franchise, prior to this season, the team lost a game by six or more goals just eight times. That is eight loses of six or more goals in 15 seasons. Thus far in 2024-25 it has already happened seven times and there are still 12 games to be played. It is possible Allen could lose more games this season by six or more goals than in the entire history of the franchise. Let that sink in. Here is the list of all-time worst losses (6 or more goals) in chronological order:

• 7-0: Idaho - 3/20/25 (away)
• 9-1: Jacksonville - 3/6/25 (home)
• 9-2: Wichita - 2/8/25 (home)
• 8-2: Fort Wayne - 12/14/24 (away)
• 6-0: Indy - 12/13/24 (away)
• 9-0: Kansas City - 10/26/24 (home)
• 8-2: Tulsa - 10/24/24 (away)

Allen vs Idaho Series Preview, Scoring and Power Play Struggles, Playoff Teams Almost Set, ECHL Assist Stats and More

 

The Allen Americans begin their six game road trip tonight in Idaho with the only role they have left to play, as spoilers. While Allen can mathematically escape the cellar in the Mountain Division it will take a big turnaround over the final 13 games of the season. Allen trails Utah by 10 points in the standings and will have to sweep the Grizzlies when they play three games next week.

 

- So the Americans are relegated to spoilers in Idaho tonight, Friday and Saturday. The Steelheads are six points behind Wichita in the race for the final playoff spot and have not been playing well. Idaho is 4-5-1-0 in its last 10 games and has lost three straight. You know Idaho sees this three game series at home against Allen as a way to get back in the playoff race. The Steelheads have owned the Americans the last three seasons. Since 2022-23 Allen's record against Idaho is a paltry 3-16-1-0. FYI, the three wins were when goalie Leevi Merilainen was assigned the Allen by Ottawa in 2022-23. In the opening game of the season Allen was outshot 45-19 and Leevi won the game. In the other two wins Merilainen faced 43 shots in each. This season Leevi has played in 12 NHL games for the Ottawa Senators with a record of 8-3-1-0, a GAA of 1.99 and a .925 save percentage.

 

- It will likely take Merilainen type goaltending for Allen to come out on top in this series because the Americans have struggled to score. In its last 11 games Allen has scored two or fewer goals in nine of them. The other two the Americans scored three goals and four goals. 

 

- Here are Allen's goal scorers the last 11 games when the Americans scored only 17 goals, an average of 1.55 goals per game. Defensemen scored 35% of the goals.

• 2 goals - Brassard
• 2 goals - Warmuth
  
• 2 goals - Jacobs
• 2 goals - Isaacson
• 2 goals - Matikka
• 1 goal - Powell
  
• 1 goal - Kane
  
• 1 goal - Wilson
  
• 1 goal - Nault
  
• 1 goal - Westcott
  
• 1 goal - Watts
• 1 goal - Duarte
  

- If you look at season long stats Allen scores a goal per game less than Idaho (2.4 vs 3.4) and also allows more goals than the Steelheads (4.1 vs 3.4). The same is true in shots on goal where Allen takes fewer (29.6 vs 33.8) and allows more (38.1 vs 34.4) than Idaho.

 

- As always special teams will play a big role in this series. Idaho has one of the best power plays in the league ranked #3 at 22.0%. Allen on the other hand, last scored a power play goal eight games ago on February 21. The Americans are 0-28 since their last power play goal. 

 

- Idaho will be playing without its leading scorer as Hank Crone was traded to Norfolk yesterday for future considerations. Hank had 54 points (15G, 39A) in 48 games for a points per game average of 1.13. Crone's plus/minus was +15, second best on the team. Idaho has won eight overtime games this season, Crone had the game winner in three of them. It is hard to understand why you would trade a player with these stats when your team is fighting for its playoff life. Maybe the fact that Crone is already signed in Europe for next season played a role.

 

- Idaho has had trouble scoring lately. The Steelheads have lost three straight and the scores were 7-3, 2-1 and 4-0. A long way from the team that scored over 300 goals last season and averaged 4.2 goals per game. 

 

- It hasn't happened very often when the Americans have played six straight road games without spending any time back in Allen. The Americans have 22 players on the trip which isn't much of a cushion given all of the injuries lately. Mark Duarte is expected to be back in the lineup tonight. Defenseman Kenny Johnson is with the team and has been cleared to play. However, he hasn't played since February 7 and just started practicing. Would expect he won't be in the lineup until the weekend. 

 

- Playing with the lead is always a key to Allen's games since the Americans do not do well playing from behind. Idaho has one of the best records in the ECHL when playing with the lead, almost unbeatable: 

• When scoring first, 19-1-6-1 (.833). 
• Leading after the 1st period, 14-0-2-0 (.938)
• Leading after the 2nd period, 19-0-1-0 (.975) 

Allen has given up the first goal in eight of its last 10 games and lost them all. The Americans cannot play from behind against Idaho and expect to win.

 

- Idaho is great playing with the lead, but is also one of the league's best teams when trailing after the first period. The Steelhead's record is 8-12-4-0. Allen's record when trailing after the first period is 2-25-2-0.

 

- The game tonight will have just one referee with #22 Sam Heidemann working the game. He has been an ECHL referee since 2020 and worked the Kelly Cup finals in 2023 and 2024. He has also been an AHL referee since 2023.

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- It is a light Wednesday night ECHL schedule with only four games. Allen fans might be interested in the only other Mountain Division game, Utah at Kansas City. Here is the ECHL Today with all of the previews: https://echl.com/news/2025/03/echl-today-march-19 

- Competition for playoff spots will be front and center around the ECHL this weekend. 

• North Division -  Worcester (64 points) and Reading (62 points) are competing for the final playoff spot. Trois Riviéres is locked, Wheeling and Norfolk will also advance to the playoffs.
• South Division - South Carolina, Florida and Jacksonville are already locked in. Orlando will the the fourth playoff team.
• Central Division - Toledo is already locked in, Fort Wayne and Iowa will make the playoffs. Four teams are fighting for the fourth playoff spot, but it looks like it will be between Bloomington and Kalamazoo who are currently tied for fourth place with 59 points.
• Mountain Division - No teams are locked in but it is looking like Kansas City, Tahoe, Tulsa and Wichita will be the playoff teams. Idaho is in fifth place, six points behind Wichita and could catch the Thunder. Both teams are under .500 over the last 10 games, so if either gets hot it could make the difference.  

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about players with 60 assists in a season. It looks like no players will reach that milestone this season. I got this stat idea from seeing NHL single season stats yesterday. Putting this together this morning reminded me what Chad Costello accomplished in his three seasons in Allen from 2014-2017. Averaging a point per game is quite the accomplishment. Averaging an assist per game is extremely rare. Chad averaged over an assist per game for three straight seasons. His total was 252 assists in 216 games for an assist per game average of 1.17. In addition to all of the assists he also averaged 33 goals per season over those three years. Just another stat of many why Chad Costello should be in the ECHL Hall of Fame. 

Reaching 60 assists in a season is quite a milestone. Only six players have accomplished that feat in the last 10 ECHL seasons, since 2014-15. One player stands out having reached the 60 assist plateau three times and exceeded 60 by wide margins:

 

60: Jack Dugan, Fort Wayne, 2023-24

64: Zach O’Brien, Newfoundland, 2022-23

60: Alex Ierullo, Greenville, 2022-23

89: Chad Costello, Allen, 2016-17

68: Shane Berschbach, Toledo, 2016-17

64: Casey Pierro-Zabotel, Colorado, 2016-17

79: Chad Costello, Allen, 2015-16

84: Chad Costello, Allen, 2014-15

 

Costello’s assists are the #4 (89), #6 (84) and #13 (79) on the ECHL all time single season assist list. Those ahead of Costello on the all time list played in the 1990’s.

Allen Sets Season Shot Record (48), Loses 3-1, Game Recap, Video Highlights, Coach's Comments, Road Trip Schedule, 50 Win Curse and More

 

The Allen Americans set a season record for shots in a period (20) and shots in a game (48) yesterday, but managed just one goal in a 3-1 loss to Utah. Allen has scored 45 fewer goals this season than any other team in the division and 80 fewer goals than the top team. No matter how well the team plays, it can't win without scoring more goals. 

 

- The lack of scoring is exemplified by the power play. The Americans have not scored a power play goal since the third period of a game in Kansas City on February 21. That was eight games ago. The streak of power play opportunities without a goal has now reached 28. How far has the power play fallen? At the beginning of December the Allen power play was ranked #3 in the ECHL at 26.1%. As of this morning it is ranked #24 at 16.4%. 

 

- Allen gave up the first goal of the game yesterday which the Americans have done in 60% of their games this season. Allen's record when allowing the first goal is 6-26-3-0 (.214). Allen's record when scoring first is the worst in the league, but still much better than when the Americans give up the first goal (8-9-5-2. .479). 

 

- Here are the game recaps and the video highlights:

• Allen Americans game recap: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/03/game-recap-americans-fall-to-utah-despite-a-48-shot-performance 
• Utah Grizzlies game recap: https://utahgrizzlies.com/news/2025/03/grizz-win-3-1-at-allen-on-sunday-afternoon 
• Video highlights: https://echl.com/videos/utah-grizzlies-vs-allen-americans-mar-16-2025 

 

- Brett Ferguson's post game comments:

"I thought we played well today. Their goalie was the difference in the game."

"We had an unfortunate lapse on their first goal. It was 3-on-3 like in overtime and you play man on man and they got buzzing around us a little bit and we were spinning. On the second goal they did a good job going to our net and getting in our goalie's eyes. Thornton didn't see that shot from the point. We had two defensemen standing off to the side, but they did not take care of our net front, and it ended up in the back of the net."

"It was a great effort by the team and we were never out of the fight. It was a physical fun game with lots of chances back and forth, 81 shots on goal and a couple of fights. We didn't get the two points, but I am proud how the team played."

"There were a couple of spirited bouts tonight, Utah is a lot like us at the bottom of the standings where everyone if fighting literally or figuratively on the ice for jobs next year. In this league contracts are week to week. Nobody has a two-year deal, nobody is signed for next season and everyone is fighting for a job with their current team or with the other 27 teams in the league."

"Our upcoming road trip schedule:

• Tuesday: fly to Boise
• Wednesday: play Idaho
• Thursday: Practice 
• Friday: play Idaho
  
• Saturday: play Idaho
• Sunday: day off in Boise
• Monday: bus to Salt Lake City 
• Monday night: team is set up to attend the Utah HC vs Detroit Red Wings game
• Tuesday: practice at Utah HC practice facility
• Wednesday: play Utah
• Thursday: practice
• Friday: play Utah
• Saturday: play Utah
• Sunday: fly home"

"We will be gone for 12 days which is logistically a little different than usual. We can only bring so many players and then we will have to deal with injuries and guys coming back from injuries. Injured players Mark Duarte and Kenny Johnson will travel with us to Idaho and will play in that series at some point."

"Spencer Asuchak is hoping to touch the ice while we are gone as he recovers from his injury. He is getting better and it was great to have him on the bench tonight. That was a positive influence on our group. 

"We are moving forward as if we will not see Dylan Wells back in Allen, but it would be great if he does return. I hope he stays up and gets some games." 

 

OTHER COMMENTS

- Here are the Mountain Division standings by points with games remaining in parenthesis: 

• 83 points - Kansas City (12 games)
• 77 points - Tahoe (11 games)
• 76 points - Tulsa (11 games)
• 73 points - Wichita (12 games)
• 67 points - Idaho (13 games)
• 63 points - Rapid City (12 games)
• 48 points - Utah (11 games)
• 38 points - Allen (13 games)

 

- Former Allen forward, Easton Brodzinski, who led the Americans in goals when he was traded to Tulsa in January has been loaned to the AHL San Diego Gulls since February 25. Easton scored a goal in his first game with the Gulls and has played in eight games since arriving in San Diego.

 

- Five teams have already qualified for the Kelly Cup playoffs:

• North Division - Trois Riviéres
• South Division - South Carolina, Florida, Jacksonville
• Central Division - Toledo
• Mountain division - None

 

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today is about ECHL teams with 50+ plus wins in a season. Allen has never had a 50 win season. The most wins for an Allen team was 49 and that wasn't a championship year, it was in 2016-17. In Allen's two Kelly Cup winning seasons the Americans had 48 wins (2014-15) and 41 wins (2015-16).

 

Unlikely any ECHL team reaches 50 wins in 2024-25. South Carolina has the best chance, but must win seven of its final 10 games. Maybe their fans should hope they don’t make it.

Here are the ECHL teams with 50+ wins since 2008-09. None of them won the Kelly Cup.

 

2023-24

54: Kansas City

 

2022-23

58: Idaho*

 

2018-19

51: Cincinnati

50: Florida

 

2017-18

53: Florida

50: Toledo

 

2016-17

51: Toledo

 

2015-16

 52: Missouri

 

2014-15

50: Toledo

 

*Most wins in a single season all time.

 

Allen vs Utah Preview, Today's Lineup, Coach's Keys, ECHL Road Records, Goals For and Against Stats, Playoff Picture and More

 

After more than a week off, Allen is back in action this afternoon (2:10) against the Utah Grizzlies with a chance to get a win, something that has eluded the Americans in 22 of the last 26 games. It will be a battle between the two worst teams in the league. One on a three game losing streak (Allen) and one on a five game losing streak.

 

- The good news is Allen's record against Utah this season is 3-1-1-0. The bad news is all five games were played in the first two weeks of November. 

 

- What is certain is one of these teams will earn two points today and the other could earn one point considering the last two games they played went to overtime. If Allen has any hope of avoiding last place in the ECHL the game today is a must win. It has been six weeks since Allen has won a home game and the team is flirting with the record book when it comes to fewest home wins in a season. With six home wins and seven home games remaining, Allen needs to reach 10 wins the avoid the record book. The all time record of five home wins is safe, but if Allen goes 2-5 in the last seven home games that will tie for second on the all time list with eight home wins.

 

- Here is how Allen and Utah rank in some key stats this season:

• Goals scored average: Allen #28 (2.40) - Utah #15 (3.12)
• Goals allowed average: Allen #29 (4.14) - Utah #28 (4.12)
• Shots for average: Allen #18 (29.28) - Utah #11 (31.58)
• Shots against average:  Allen #29 (36.14) Utah #26 (34.60)
• Power play percentage: Allen #24 (16.7%) - Utah #13 (19.7%)
• Penalty kill percentage: Allen #18 (80.0%) - Utah #29 (70.9%)

 

- A couple of things to note from the stats above. Allen and Utah are the two worst teams in the league allowing over four goals per game. No other team allows more than 3.55 goals per game and half of the ECHL allows fewer than 3.00 goals per game. Allen has improved recently allowing three or fewer goals in seven of its last ten games. However, in the three games the Americans allowed more than three goals they gave up nine, six and four goals. 

- Allen's power play is 0-25 over the last 19 periods going back seven games. The Americans will be going up against the worst penalty kill unit in the league this afternoon at 70.9%. If Allen can break its long power play drought against Utah and win the special teams battle a win could be the result.

 

-  The first goal of the game is always important, even though Allen and Utah combined have scored first in only 39% of their games. Utah is much better when it does score first. Here are the records when scoring first along with the overall ECHL record:

• Allen: 8-9-5-2 (.479)
• Utah: 12-6-2-2 (.636)
• ECHL: 596-163-82-25 (.750)

 

-  Coach Ferguson's keys to the game:

• We can't trade chances with them. They have a skilled set of forwards who are smaller and shifty that like to attack off the rush. We need to defend and let our chances come organically and not try to force anything and make plays that aren't there.
• Win battle of the blue paint. We need to clear them out of ours and take it to theirs. We can expose their defense down low.
• We need to play a complete 60 minutes of hockey. Enough of 40 minutes of hockey. We haven't played in a week so everyone is fresh. They need to play their minutes to the best of their abilities. Only the goalie has to play all 60 minutes.

 

- It will be a different lineup for the Americans this afternoon with three recently acquired players, #14 Tyler Burnie, #16 Michael Gildon and #44 Brad Morrison seeing their first action and Mark Duarte not playing. Duarte did practice this week, but has not been cleared to play. Here is the lineup:

 

Forwards

#92 Watts - #17 Jacobs - #91 Matikka

#24 Bllaisdell - #84 Gorman - #11 Nault

#25 Westcott - #86 Kane - #44 Morrison

#21 Van Unen - #14 Burnie - #16 Gildon

Defense

#5 Wilson - #2 Warmuth

#57 LeDonne - #82 Fraser

#66 Kulakov - #23 Brassard

 

Goalie

#35 Thornton

#33 Richardson (backup)

 

 

- It will be a two referee game today with #28 Rocco Stachowiak and #5 Jarrett Burton working the game. Stachowiak has worked five games this season in Allen, but always with another partner. In those five games the number of penalties were 8, 15, 17, 6, and 10. You could expect some power play opportunities for both teams today.

 

 

OTHER COMMENTS  

- Here is the game preview for today's game from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/news/2025/03/game-day-pucks-n-paws-sunday

 

 

 - Adding three more players today to Allen's total for the season will make it 49 players used thus far. A long way from the top teams of Bloomington (58 players used) and Reading (53 players used), but it puts Allen in the top five. FYI, Utah has used 48 players this season.

- I have seen a lot of comments in the blog about how many season ticket holders renewed by the deadline. I went directly to the team to get the answer and 83% of season ticket holders renewed. That is the same percentage that renewed last season. 

 

 

- After Rapid City had its 11 game winning streak snapped and lost three straight games most everyone, including myself, said the Rush playoff hopes were over. Rapid City has now won four straight and are back in the playoff hunt. The Rush are now four points behind fifth place Idaho and 10 points behind fourth place Wichita. To make it even more interesting Rapid City plays Wichita at home three times next weekend. If they sweep that series they will be within four points of a playoff spot with nine games to play. Chad Costello has been the best late season coach in the league the last three seasons. Twice in Allen his team came from way behind (last place) to make the playoffs. Could he do the same this season in Rapid City. It is still a long shot, but a sweep next weekend against Wichita will make it very exciting going down the stretch.

 

 

- Don't forget about Idaho who has been falling back in the playoff race and is now six points behind fourth place Wichita for the final playoff spot. The Steelheads entertain Allen at home for three games this week and are looking to get back in the playoff race with a sweep of the Americans.

 

 

- There are only eight games on the Sunday ECHL schedule. Here is the ECHL Today with all of the previews: https://echl.com/news/2025/03/echl-today-march-16  

- Here is the ECHL Stats post from yesterday which covers goals for and goals against. In general, with some exceptions, the Mountain Division has become a score first, defend second type of division. Maybe it is this style of play that has prevented the division from winning a Kelly Cup since 2017 when Colorado, Allen (2) and Alaska won four straight Kelly Cups:

 

Goals For (GF) and Goals Against (GA) stats say a lot:

- A rarity: South Carolina is #1 in GF (228) and #1 in GA (140).

 

- Indy is #29 in GF (135).

 

- Utah is #29 in GA (247).

 

- Good Offense/Bad Defense:

Mountain Division has 4 of the top 7 in GF:

Tahoe is #2 (216)

Wichita is #3 (215)

Kansas City is #6 (205)

Idaho is #7 (201)

 

Mountain Division has the bottom 3 teams in GA:

Utah is #29 (247)

Allen is #28 (240)

Rapid City is #27 (213)

DID YOU KNOW: The ECHL Stats post today covers teams that play better on the road than at home. Allen makes the list and the Mountain Division is well represented:

So much for home ice advantage. Eight ECHL teams have better road records than home records. The eight teams include top teams and bottom teams, high attendance teams and low attendance teams, so go figure. The biggest discrepancy between road and home record belongs to Indy. The Fuel have six more road wins than home wins. The road record is listed first:

 

North:

Norfolk: 18-9-3-0 vs 16-13-1-0

Adirondack: 11-16-2-1 vs 10-19-1-0

 

South: None

 

Central:

Fort Wayne: 19-7-2-0 vs 16-2-3-0

Indy: 15-3-0-2 vs 9-13-4-2

 

Mountain:

Kansas City: 21-8-2-0 vs 17-8-2-1

Tulsa: 19-9-2-1 vs 15-9-3-2

Idaho: 16-9-4-0 vs 13-12-4-1

Allen: 8-16-4-1 vs 6-18-4-1