- Had a chance to stop by practice yesterday and spend a few minutes with Steve Martinson. He feels good about what the team has accomplished in practice this week and is giving the guys today (Wednesday) off with the hope they come back Thursday refreshed and ready to go. Bad timing for a day off from a weather perspective as those that were planning outside activities such as golf will be dealing with rain but a day off is a day off. Martinson fully expects the team to have two good games against Tulsa this weekend.
- Decisions on who plays this weekend will not be made for a couple of days however, Martinson does expect Spencer Asuchak will be in the line up on Saturday.
- The lines for Saturday obviously depend on who will play but from observing practice the top line (Combs, Schultz, Costello) will stay intact, Asuchak may start centering Greger Hanson and Austin Smith, and a third line may include Schaafsma, Steffes & McMillin.
- One player to keep an eye on this weekend is rookie defenseman Justin Baker. He has been flying under the radar thus far with all of the high powered experienced defensemen on the team but he has been playing very well.
- Garrett Clarke has been suspended for three additional games for a total of a four game suspension as a result of an unpenalized hit in the October 31st game in Rapid City. He will miss the two games this weekend against Tulsa and the road game against Missouri on November 14th. Haven't seen the video and know some who saw the hit thought it was a clean hit but given his past reputation Clarke will never get the benefit of the doubt. Not saying the discipline wasn't deserved just saying Clarke will be watched very closely. NHL and AHL teams do not want their players assigned to the ECHL if the league doesn't closely monitor these type of hits very closely. They sure don't want their developmental players in the ECHL if they feel there is risk of injury by players taking runs at them.
- With Clarke out of the lineup this weekend and Trevor Ludwig eligible to come off the 21 day injured reserve on Friday would expect he will play this weekend. If that does happen another veteran will have to be placed on reserve or 21 day injured reserve. Remember, Allen has five veterans under contract (both Ludwigs, Di Diomete, Combs & Costello) and can only have four play in a game.
- ECHL roster limits go from 21 to 20 after the first month of the season. So active rosters must be reduced to 20 on November 16 (by 3:00 pm ET). Players on 21 day injured reserve do not count toward the active roster limit of 20.
- Forward Jesse Messier has been placed on the 21 day injured reserve effective November 2nd.
- Would expect Aaron Dell will start in goal on Saturday with a decision on Sunday's starting goalie made after the Saturday game.
- If you have been monitoring the ECHL transaction list it is obvious many teams are still trying to improve their rosters through trades and signing of free agents. You can expect Steve Martinson is still spending plenty of time on the phone trying to put in place a roster that can compete but also at a good value and within budget. Additional changes are inevitable.
- There were only two games in the ECHL last night and one of them was Missouri at Tulsa. Missouri came out ahead with a 5-4 victory. Tulsa's Adam Pleskach had two more goals in a losing cause and now has nine goals in just six games to lead the ECHL.
- Mentioned yesterday Quad City will play their next five games in Brampton. The road trip isn't a two-week vacation across the border. The Mallards
will return to the Quad-Cities after the first three games (Thursday, Friday, & Sunday) before departing
again next Wednesday for the final two games.
DID YOU KNOW: Two of the highest scoring games in Allen American's history have been home losses against Tulsa. Allen lost the home opener this year against Tulsa by a score of 9-6. Last November Tulsa beat Allen 10-8 at home.
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