Martinson Post Game Comments & Other Thoughts 1/21/13

Photo by www.ScenebyKimberly.com

Another disappointing result for the Americans as they lose to the Arizona Sundogs 3-2 on a late third period goal before a crowd of 4335 which included lots kids for the traditional MLK kids day game. The Americans have now lost four out of their last five games. Cause for concern yes, but all teams go through stretches like this and the team still has a five point lead in the CHL standings, their seven losses are half as many as any other team, and they have four games in hand over second place Wichita and three games in hand over third place Ft. Worth.

Here are some of the comments Coach Martinson made in his post game press conference:

- The biggest issue I have over the last four or five games is our secondary scoring. We are not generating enough offense and scoring chances.

- We are 36 games into the season and we still  have the same line scoring most of our goals so it is time to look at some options.

- I have been on the phone and should sign a new forward in the next 24 hours.

- Our power play has not been scoring goals lately (5 for 32 in the last five games) so we need to find somewhere to get more goals. We need to score goals one way or another.

- We have some good defensive forwards and penalty killers but we have some forwards that we need to score that aren't scoring.

- I don't want to get caught up with the idea we are in first place so we need to stand pat. With 80% of our goals coming from a few players you have to find a way to get secondary goals. We have guys that can do it but it just isn't happening.

My other random thoughts:

- I have heard the new forward to be signed is coming from Canada, is a development player, but is not coming from junior hockey.  We might have the name today. Maybe Tommy Daniels will be able to talk about him on the radio broadcast tonight. (See below on the radio broadcast)

- Nobody asked the coach about this in the press conference but did you notice Nino Muistelli had two goals and two assists in his first two games with his new team, the Toledo Walleye (ECHL).

- I talked to Garrett Clarke before the game and he skated for the first time Monday morning since his injury. If all goes well this week he is hoping to be back in the line up for the weekend.

- Brett Skinner had an assist in the game to extend his scoring streak to eight games. He is now second in the CHL in scoring for defensemen with 33 points. The league leader has 34 points but has played 15 more games than Brett.

- Our famous fighting 7's (Clarke #7, Grantham #17, Bootland #27, & Brennan #37) rank 4,5,6,7 in the league in penalty minutes.

- Maiani & Bootland are tied for the league lead in plus/minus at +18.

- I had a chance to talk to Nicole Schaafsma briefly yesterday before the game. It is always interesting to talk to the wives after I do a player profile and get to know them through their husband first. Nicole loves North Texas. She did point out one thing to me that I had not thought about before and it had to do with CHL road trips. Jamie, who has played most of his career in Europe, was never gone on road trips for more than a night or two.  In the CHL there are many long road trips (7-10 days). Keep in mind Jamie and Nicole have two children under 18 months.

- Thanks to Tommy Daniels and Maurice Fitzgerald for allowing me to spend the third period with them in the broadcast booth yesterday talking hockey.

- For those of you in the Allen area don't forget there is a live radio broadcast tonight (Tuesday) from 6:00 - 7:00 originating from Heritage Ranch, where I live. Our fan club here at Heritage Ranch is sponsoring this event and we invite everyone to stop by and talk hockey with Tommy Daniels and his guests. We will have a drawing for some great free Americans tickets at the end of the broadcast. Heritage Ranch is about four miles east of the Allen Event Center on Stacy Rd. The broadcast will take place in the clubhouse ballroom. Please try to arrive by 5:45 so we are ready to go live at 6:00. If you can't join us you can listen online at KLAK 97.5 (there is a link on the Americans web site).