Martinson Post Game Comments - 1/26/13

Photo by www.ScenesByKimberly.com

The Americans finished with their third loss of the week, all at home, as they went down in flames to the Bloomington Blaze 5-2 last night at the Allen Event Center.  On a positive note the Americans out shot the Blaze 43-22. Here is what coach Martinson had to say after the game:

- I thought the first 17 minutes of the game were outstanding as we were all over them, we were hitting, we were getting pucks at the net and then we take a selfish, needless penalty in the offensive end. This triggered a 4 on 3 power play goal and Bloomington ended up scoring three goals in the last three minutes of the period.

- When you play four on four you cannot leave your guy unless you are getting the puck. We have too many instances where guys leave their guy to help out. Maybe we need to devote a practice just on 4 on 4 play. There is way too much bad decision making and our top players are making the mistakes.

- The Blaze goalie was outstanding tonight as we hammered him over and over but could not get over the hump.

- Jarret Lukin strained his neck and you never know whether it is a one day thing or a one week thing. Right now we can't afford to be with out him but it is out of our control.

- Adam Pineault has a groin injury and was placed on the 14 day injured reserve. The soonest he will be able to play is February 8th against Missouri.

- Brennan did not play because of a one game suspension.

- Chris Doyle will be here Monday but will not be able to play Tuesday as he is on the seven day injured reserve effective 1/25.

- I thought Clarke did a good job given the fact he has not practiced much recently. Both both Clarke and Daniels give us speed up front which we need right now.

- I don't think our current problem is effort as much as it is mental. You can work hard and we are working hard but we need to work and play smarter. Our best players have to be our best players and that is not happening lately.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

-  I have said this before but it is worth repeating that it is so refreshing that Coach Martinson is willing to hold his press conference after each game. I often think the last thing he wants to do after a tough loss is talk to fans. He comes in and shares his analysis of the game in an open and honest way, he takes questions from the audience, and it is much appreciated.

- Former players were tearing it up last night as Scotty Howes scored a goal in his third straight game for Springfield and Colton Yellow Horn had two goals and one assist for Ontario.

- Yellow Horn leads the ECHL in points but the stat that really stands out is his 34 goals which are 10 more than any one else in the league.

- Justin Bowers who was recently trade from San Francisco to Gwinnett had two goals Friday night.

- With points again last night Brett Skinner (36 points) and Tyler Ludwig (35 points) are now the top two points scorers in the CHL for defensemen.

- With a crowd of 5215 last night the Americans rank fifth in the league with an average of 4263 per game. With five Tuesday night games remaining on the schedule we will have to have big weekend attendance to maintain our current average.