ONE DOWN, THREE TO GO!

*Please note: while Barry's name remains at the bottom of this blog, he is on vacation and the information/views posted in his absence do not reflect Barry's views or the views of the Allen Americans organization.

Future Allen American?

(photo courtesy of scenebyKimberly)

If you were at the Allen Event Center, you again were witness to a fantastic Allen Americans game. Allen struck first and would maintain the lead throughout the entire game.  What a spectacular performance from the team in RED.  It all started with a goal from Allen's Dyson Stevenson, assisted by Greger Hanson and Spencer Asuchak, The teams would leave the ice at the end of one with the Americans leading 1-0.

Gary Steffes would increase the American's lead to 2 when he buried his 11th goal of the playoffs.assisted by Chris Crane and Konrad Abeltshauser at the 11:17 mark of the second frame. Steffes would pad the score for RED with 17 seconds remaining. on a power play, assisted by Chad Costello and Justin Baker.

(photo courtesy of laurenlyssy.wix.com)

(photo courtesy of scenebyKimberly)

(photo courtesy of laurenlyssy.wix.com)

The third period would find a Stingray's goaltending change as league MVP Jeff Jakaitis was pulled and Clay Witt took over.  Would the Stingrays make a comeback when Scott Ford blasted a shot past Riley Gill at the 1:48 mark?  Not a chance since Spencer Asuchak pulled the momentum back for Allen with a shot assisted by Stevenson.  But the Stingrays would not give up as Sean Dolan netted his fifth goal of the playoffs at the 9:40 mark.  The Stingray's frustration would boil over in the games' final minutes when S.C. forward, Tim Spencer cheap shotted Patrick Valcak, leaving blood on the ice.  The Americans' Konrad Abelthauser scored on the resulting PP with just 6 seconds remaining until the horn would blow.  Game over!  Allen earned their first victory (5-2) of this final series.

Game observations:

• big win ensures Allen will go the road with at least 1 victory (hopefully, after tonight, it will be 2)
• Steffes 1st goal went top shelf on a one-timer from 15 feet set up by a nice feed from Crane
• the second goal by Steffes was enhanced by a successful screen by Ian Shultz
• the Stingray's first goal of the evening was a one-timer from the point by 35 yr old Scott Ford who is 2 years older than his Coach Spencer Carbery
• the goal scored by Asuchak appeared to draw the defenseman to commit early which provided a clear shot for Spencer, what a great way to welcome the replacement goalie
• the games' final goal was officially scored as a PP goal (not an empty netter) as Witt was not yet off the ice
• Stingray's vaunted line: Rowe, Simpson, and DeBlois combined for 0 goals, 1 assist and a -3 (continued containment of this line is a must)
• Jakaitis allowed 3 goals on 13 shots, his 3rd period replacement, Witt, yielded 2 goals on 8 shots

Coach Martinson's post game conference:

• Steffes stepped up big, couple of huge goals
• Asuchak line did great job against their top line
• different matchups tomorrow as S.C. is home team
• we need to do a few things better than we did tonight
• PP was pretty good
• Patrik Valcak alright, one of my ex-players did that to him
• referees doing a pretty good job, feels better about the officiating, better than any other series since playing in Allen
• we still have last change for 4 games, tomorrow's last change for them is a bonus
• best forechecking team that we've played,Stingrays always have a guy back, they do not cheat
• will be at arena at 5:30 for tv coverage, we definitely need more press

Tonight's referrees:  Same as Sunday's game, Stephen Reneau and Pierre Lambert.

Last night's attendance was 3804, a good crowd for a Tuesday night.  Let us, please, continue to support our team.  Bring a friend (or foe) and cheer for RED! RED! RED! RED!


Did you know: "Chill-y" facts- From 1992 to 1994 the Columbus Chill sold out all home games en route to an ECHL and Minor League Hockey record streak of 83 consecutive sellouts.  The St. Charles Chill had their inaugural season in 2013-14.  They folded immediately after that season, enduing a win percentage of .166 and an overall point percentage of .212.