What a way to bring in the new year with a 4-0 victory . You couldn't write the script much better. Put 5623 fans in the seats including lots of first time attendees, have your rookie goalie (Aaron Dell) record his first professional shutout, have other then your top line (Maiani, Bootland, Howes) score all of the goals (McMillin, Lukin, Grantham, Brennan), have the second place team loose (Wichita lost to Ft. Worth 4-2), have a few fights, and do all of this in front of lots of family and friends who are visiting from out of town.
Here is what Coach Martinson had to say at the post game press conference:
- Alec Martinez looked great given the fact that he has only practiced a couple of times. He broke an orbital bone seven weeks ago while playing in Europe. The plans were to have him play this weekend but he told coach he was ready to go so they played him.
- With things looking better on the NHL lockout we may only have Martinez for a couple of weeks but it will give time for Skinner & Montgomery to get healthy.
- Brett Skinner has been looking good in practice and should be ready to go by Friday, however, he may not play in both games this weekend.
- The defense did a great job of keeping the shots from the outside but Dell did an outstanding job and has stopped everything he sees.
- Montgomery is still out and probably won't be ready for a couple more weeks.
- We still need to work on being more patient down low, we need to support the puck and ride it out, not go for "hope" plays. The longer you have possession in the teams zone, the more mistakes they are going to make and the more penalties they will take. The team will have the day off on Tuesday and then have a couple of good practices on Wednesday & Thursday.
- Coach Martinson purposely tried to sign players that would be here all year to minimize the impact if the NHL lockout is lifted.
- It looks like Howes may be getting an AHL contract this week and Coach Martinson has already made a couple of offers to players to fill out the roster.
- Coach mentioned he does check scores of other CHL games during the periods as he was aware Wichita had lost to Ft. Worth.
- When asked about Garrett Clarke the coach was complimentary about his progress as a young player. He is taking fewer high risk plays and moving the puck well. Martinson called him one of the toughest defensemen in the league at 200 pounds. Coach did admit some of the players tease him about Clarke being another of his sons.
Other Thoughts:
- With his shutout Aaron Dell leads the league in both goals against average (1.82) and save percentage (93.6%)
- The Americans have four players in the top eight in the league in shooting percentage as Howes is second at 28%, McMillin fourth at 23%, and Bootland & Maiani are tied for eigth at 19%
- Had a chance to talk to McMillin's dad (Harley) who is in town for a visit and to watch Brian play. It was nice to see Brian have such a great game with a goal and two assists as well as being named the second star. I think we all play harder when dad is in the crowd. Harley and I share a passion for hunting and fishing so there was very little hockey talk. He is heading back home to Roseau, MN today.
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