2014-2015 KELLY CUP CHAMPIONS RING CEREMONY, GAME RECAP, GAME 

PREVIEW*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.

It was a great night to be at the Allen Event Center last evening as the night's best kept secret took place pre game. Championship rings were presented to our Kelly Cup Champions.  All players who were available gathered for a final time as part of the Championship team.  A bit awkward  but proud moment for Garrett Clarke, who was included, as he stood there now donning a Rush uniform.  Also participating were Eric Adams who is sorely missed, and Tyler Ludwig who has hung up his skates.

(photo courtesy of Lauren Lyssy)

A great photo captured by Kimberly displays Rick Pinkston and Michael Young momentarily suspended above the ice.

(photo courtesy of ScenebyKimberly)

  Game Recap:

• Allen's Vincent Arseneau scored first at 16:39 mark of the first period assisted by Jacob Poe and Dyson Stevenson
• Less than 3 minutes later(18:53), Dyson Stevenson, charging the net, scored on a deflection of a shot from Ian Schultz
• It did not take Rapid long to respond as Zach Cohen put them on the board at the :34 mark of the second period, and this would be their only goal of the game.
• With just less than 12 minutes remaining in the game, Schultz put the nail in their coffin by scoring on a pass from Tristan King and Eric Roy.
• The Schultz, Stevenson, Arseneau line scored all 3 goals and were +3 for the night
• Allen restarted their streak of winning when scoring first

Coach Martinson's post game comments: (you can see the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhnjjl7nSsA you may need to cut and paste into your browser)

• slow start tonight
• nice to get insurance goal in the 3rd
• forechecking much improved from last weekend
• worked all week practicing forechecking, hustle, and movement in the offensive zone
• trying to get all players on the same page
• Casey Pierro-Zabotel out with upper body injury
• David Makowski is still 1-2 weeks from returning
• Justin Baker has apparently quit hockey
• never had so many injuries at this point in the season
• new acquistion, Mike Gunn from Wheeling, was a +10, he likes to defend the front of the net and move the puck up ice
• physical guys have to play physical
• Zach Cohen made an unbelievable move to score their only goal
• Gill looked great (and we agree!)

Riley Gill did certainly look great in net last night and was the well deserved +1 star of the game.

(photo courtesy of Diane Webster)

And the Rush Goalie, Marek Langhamer must have been praying that Allen would not score again, Is this any way to treat the reigning ECHL goaltender of the week? 

(photo courtesy of Diane Webster)

Game Preview:

• Allen meets the Utah Grizzlies for a rubber match tonight, as we meet for the final time in regular season play.  In the four previous games in Utah, both teams have won twice.
• As always, we need to come out with a fast start and score first, maintain the lead and definitely lead after 1.  We have only lost 1 game when scoring first, and are undefeated when leading after 1, and leading after 2.
• Since the last meeting Utah now holds the advantage for Goals For (3.21 vs 3.00) and Goals Against (2.89 vs 2.95) per game.
• Special teams will be a major factor as Allen holds the advantage for Power Plays (18% vs 14.9%), and Penalty Kill (84.8 vs 81.1), however on home ice, Allen's PP% drops to 11.6%.
• Leading Utah in points are Matt Berry (16), and Alex Krushelnyski (15) and they both lead in goals with 8 apiece

Reminder:  Tonight is Teddy Bear toss benefiting Scottish Rite Hospital and 444 Angel.   We encourage all fans to bring a new teddy bear for this great cause.  Also, all December home games, will have American's players wives and girlfriends along with the Fan Club, collecting can goods and non perishable food items for the Allen Community Outreach.  Anyone donating a food item will receive a free ticket voucher for a future Americans game.

Did you know: The original candy canes were made to look like long sticks but one smart choirmaster decided to bend them to look like "shepherds' staffs" and hand them out to his singing children to keep them quiet during mass.  According to folklore, they date back to 1670.