Martinson Comments, Allen in 1st Place, Chill Win, & Stats

Call it second verse same as the first, or a repeat performance, or here we go again, the game yesterday in Tulsa was almost identical to the game on Saturday. The score was the same (3-2), soft first period play allowed Tulsa to jump out to a 2-0 lead, Allen then scored three unanswered goals (Lessard, Kerbashian, Lukin), and the winning goal came from special teams. The big difference was on Saturday the game winner game from the power play (Lavoie) and Sunday from the penalty kill (Jarret Lukin shorthanded). A great end to a tough three games in three days road trip where the Americans took all six points.

Americans Celebrate Sunday's 3-2 Victory Over Tulsa - photo by SceneByKimberly.com

Had the chance to talk to coach Steve Martinson after the game last night and asked him to assess the weekend and he said, "It was great to get six points on the road. Friday was a very ugly win but we improved in each game. The two games in Tulsa were great comebacks. A couple of soft plays/turnovers in the first period put us down two but then we played really strong hockey. Special teams really paid off. We were counting on the young forwards to produce and they are coming through."

- The Americans are now in first place in the CHL with nine points. Allen has games in hand over the three teams that are still undefeated (Denver, Rapid City & Missouri).

- The Americans are one point better (9 points) this year after five games than they were last year after five games (8 points).

- The French Connection (Lavoie & Lessard) plus the beard (Bootland) line showed the way over the weekend as they each had two goals. Lavoie led the team with six points closely followed by Bootland with five points.

- Bootland has scored in all five games this year (4 goals, 4 assists) and Lavoie is on a four game scoring streak (3 goals, 4 assists).

- Martinson mentioned the play of special teams over the weekend and the numbers back him up. Allen scored four power play goals in thirteen opportunities in addition to the Lukin shorty. On the penalty kill the Americans were perfect, killing all 13 man advantages. The Americans continue to lead the league in power play (27.59%) and penalty kill (93.94%).

- Jarret Lukin was the #1 star of the game for his game winning shorthanded goal. For the second game in a row the goalie was the #2 star. It was Bryan Pitton on Saturday and on Sunday it was David Brown, who stopped 22 of 24 shots.

- Congratulations to the St. Charles Chill for getting their first victory in franchise history last night after coming close on Saturday. A couple of unique games with Quad City for St. Charles  over the weekend. On Saturday the Chill were out shot 46-29 and came back from a 5-0 deficit to tie the game only to loose 7-5. On Sunday they were out shot 47-29, had Quad City tie the game in the last minute of play with an extra attacker and then won in a shoot out 6-5.

DID YOU KNOW: The shorthanded goal by Jarret Lukin on Sunday was his sixth with Allen and added to his all time record for the Americans.