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| Finally, the championship banner is in the rafters |
If you were looking for a silver lining from the 5-4 Allen loss to Wichita last night before a crowd of 5042 (that includes around 60 tickets sold to dogs) it is the fact the Americans were able to pick up one point by getting the game to overtime. A lot went wrong for Allen starting with another early goal scored by the opponent (34 seconds into the game), an odd man rush goal, a breakaway goal, an open net goal because of miscommunication, blowing a lead after the second period, losing the special teams battle, and giving up an overtime goal.
The best thing about the loss is Allen won't have to wait long to do something about it as less than 20 hours after the overtime loss the puck will drop in Wichita for a rematch (5:05 PM). Allen has only won five of their last ten game so another loss to Wichita tonight would put them below .500 for the last ten games and the traditional January/February slump will have commenced.
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
- We had too many guys not on their "A" game tonight playing weak defensively, giving Wichita the blue line, not covering guys in front of the net, and standing still trying to make passes rather than moving their feet.
- We had plenty of good scoring chances but we just could not finish.
- Everyone except Patrik Valcak will go to Wichita and I will decide tomorrow who will be the healthy scratch (one player must sit out).
- The main reason we struggle in overtime games is we are not good enough defensively when we play four on four.
OTHER COMMENTS
- The goal scorers for Allen were Brett Lyon (4), Trevor Ludwig (5), Greger Hanson (15), and Kyle Follmer (7). Six of the seven goals Follmer has scored this season have come against Wichita.
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| Brett Lyon about to score his fourth goal of the year - photo by scenebykimberly.com |
- It is often said lose the special teams battle and lose the game. It was true last night as Allen was 0-3 on the power play while Wichita was 1-4.
- Allen led 3-2 after the second period and lost the game which rarely happens. Prior to last night Allen was 27-2 when leading after two periods.
- Allen is ranked #26 in the league in games that go to overtime. Their win percentage is just .286 with a record of 2-5. (1-3 in overtime and 1-2 in shootouts).
- Aaron Dell was in goal for Worcester (AHL) last night as they beat St. John's 3-1. Aaron has started the last five games for Worcester and has a record of 4-1. The team was shutout in his only loss. In the four games Aaron has played in February he has a GAA of 1.51 and save percentage of .951. One of the writers who covers the Worcester Sharks posted this on social media, "You know, we may have a goaltending controversy brewing... "3rd string" goalie Aaron Dell is out performing both Anderson & Grosenick."
- The last place Brampton Beast shut out Rapid City 5-0 last night in Rapid City after doing the same thing on Friday night. Chad Painchaud may have put a lock on player of the week in the ECHL as he scored three goals last night to go with the four goals he scored on Friday. Add in two goals Chad had in a losing cause in Rapid City on Tuesday and his total for his visit to the Rush was nine goals in three games.
- The ECHL passed the 3,000,000 attendance mark last night and Allen will pass the 100,000 mark Monday when they host the Quad City Mallards.
- From all indications the first annual Pucks n Paws night was a big success with over 60 dogs in attendance. The team wore specialty jerseys that were auctioned off after the game with a portion of the proceeds going to the SPCA of Texas. Here are the auction amounts:
Clarke $ 650 Schultz $750 Schaafsma $900 Follmer $600 Hanson $800 Bisquit $700 Trevor Ludwig $700 Trimberger $450 Gill $450 Young $450 Descoteaux $450 Costello $700 Gens $700 Tyler Ludwig $550 Baker $550 Steffes $700 Messier $600 Lyon $700 McMillin $450 Dell $500 Combs $550 Asuchak $700 Schwartz $450
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| The Biscuit inspired specialty jerseys benefited the SPCA |
DID YOU KNOW: Chad Costello currently leads the ECHL scoring race by 18 points. The Allen Americans have never had a player finish higher than 6th in the league scoring race. Here are the scoring leaders by season and where they finished in the scoring race.
2009-2010: Bruce Graham - 6th
2010-2011: Colton Yellow Horn - 7th
2011-2012: Bruce Graham - 15th
2012-2013: Anthony Maiani- 17th
2013-2014: Alex Lavoie - 7th
2014-2015: Chad Costello - 1st (after 46 games)
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