Danger: Losses & Injuries With Pictures

Photo courtesy of  SceneByKimberly.com

Another loss to Wichita last night as the Thunder struck for five goals before an enthusiastic crowd of 5940 at Intrust Bank Arena.

Jarret Lukin scored early in the second period to tie the game 1-1 but that was the end of the offense for the Americans. Wichita scored four unanswered goals all at even strength.

I am sure the team is looking forward to getting back on home ice after seven roads games. Here are some of my thoughts and some stats.

- The team finished the seven game road trip 3-4 with one of the losses a shoot out loss so they ended  up with seven out of a possible 14 points.

- Three of the four losses on this road trip came at the hands of the Wichita Thunder. With another game against the Thunder on Friday I would say that it is an important game. Since Wichita is now within one point of the Americans (67-66) the game on Friday will be for first place in the CHL.

- Not that it was the difference in the game last night but the power play continued to struggle going 0-6. In the last five games the power play is 2-21 for a 9.5% success rate which is the worst in the league.

- After having the best power play in the league early in the season with a success rate above 25% the team has struggled recently. While still rated the second best power play in the league at 22.13% the figure is misleading. Since Brett Skinner was called up by Grand Rapids ( 11 games ago) the power play is at 12.5% which puts them toward the bottom of the league.

- Adam Pineault did not play in the game. He posted a picture showing him getting treatment on various parts of his body and also the picture above getting stitches above his left eye.

- When you are 5' 7" and fearless in going into the corners amongst the trees I guess this happens quite frequently. New chicklets on the way for Anthony Maiani.

- Remember in early January when a couple of Americans players turned down AHL call ups for personal reasons because the call up was only for a game or two. Gary Steffes from Tulsa took one of these assignments to the Lake Erie Monsters. The reason I mention this is Steffes was just sent back to Tulsa yesterday after a 16 game call up that lasted 41 days. The moral of the story is take a one game call up if at all possible (sometimes it isn't) as you get exposure at the next level and you never know what might happen.

- I hope we have a good crowd on Friday to welcome the guys back to the AEC. I am finally going to complete the story about the group that drums, chants & cheers for the Americans.  Let's follow their lead and be loud and proud to show our support as the team returns from a tough seven game road trip.