*Please note: While Barry is on vacation, the views below do not reflect those of Barry or the Allen Americans Organization.
What a great ending for the Allen Americans vs Missouri Mavericks regular season. Allen defeated Missouri Friday and Saturday nights, both with the score of 3-2. The game could have been decided with just 10 seconds left in the first period when Tristan King buried the puck in the net assisted by Nikita Jevpalovs and Gary Steffes. King went top shelf over the outstretched glove of Missouri's Steven Summerhays. We could all celebrate because Allen scored first. Oh wait, no we couldn't because Missouri would even the score with just 2 seconds left before intermission. This resulted from a beautiful centering pass from Darian Dziurzynski as he skated behind the Allen goal to Tyler Barnes.
The second period saw Darren Nowick give MO the lead at the 8:59 mark as Nowick went top shelf off another perfect feed by Dziurzynski for a power play goal. But this lead would be short-lived as Spencer Asuchak scored just 16 seconds later. Asuchak and J. P. Lafontaine won the battle for puck control on the boards behind the MO net. Determined to win again Saturday, Dave Makowski closed out the scoring on a power play goal with a blistering one timer on a perfect feed from Matt Register. Makowski earned the first star of the game for the second night in a row. Chad Costello originated this play and continues his league leading consecutive assist streak.
Despite pulling their goalie with about a minute and a half remaining, MO was unable to tie the score to take this game to overtime.
Allen survived voracious forechecking by the Mavericks in the first period (Missouri's first two goals resulted from forechecking). Through good puck movement and control, Allen was able to thwart forechecking in the second and third periods.
Unfortunately Coach Martinson was unavailable for comments. However, we imagine he was quite pleased with these two games results.
If the playoffs were played today, Allen would face Utah, who is the third different potential playoff opponent this week.
Allen controls their own destiny. With 2 victories next week they can lock up the fourth seed in the Western Conference giving them home ice advantage for the first round in the playoffs.
In the Western Conference there is a 3 way point tie in the West division between Utah, Colorado and Idaho. Colorado holds the tie breaker over the other two teams.
The Kelly Cup Playoffs are scheduled to start on April 13th. Allen's schedule is TBD.
Meet Jake Hildebrand -
Jake played his first professional game as an Allen American on Saturday night, March 26th against Missouri and secured his first professional win as Allen won 4-1. Jake comes to us after four years at Michigan State University where he had an outstanding career. Jake was named NCAA first All American Team (West) 2014-2015. That same year he was named Best Goaltender and Player of the Year.
Along with his bio, we asked Jake the following:
Tell us a little about yourself - I am 22 yrs. old and will graduate this summer from MSU. I will finish classes online. I was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and have a sister 2 yrs older than me. I do have a girlfriend back in Michigan.
Did you have a pet growing up - We have a goldendoodle and got a black lab last summer.
Do you have a favorite number and why - #30 has been my favorite as it was my number since I was little, but it is Riley Gill's in Allen so I now wear #1.
Do you have a nickname - Hildy
Hockey Hero - Marc Andre Fleury, I have always liked the way he plays
What is your earliest hockey memory - Got a plastic hockey stick as a gift as a small child, guess my parents got tired of playing with me as they enrolled me in a league at the age of 6-7. I always wanted to play goalie and would not let anyone else in the net.
Describe your style of play - very technical; high compete level; try to be in the right place all the time
How did you get to Allen - spoke with agent after the season and was told a couple of teams had shown interest. With all the success they have had, Allen would be the best fit.
First impression of the ECHL - players are much more methodical and thought out, guys are much smarter
Favorite childhood toys - remote control cars
Favorite motto - "Find a way"
Favorite TV show - Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, watching Scandal right now
What do you like to do away from the rink - Golf - went golfing yesterday, fishing - it's relaxing (make note, Barry!)
What do you know about the Allen Fans - great crowds, great place to play, event center is awesome. I am looking forward to playing some home playoff games here.
Favorite type of music - I listen to a little bit of everything, I am not the guy who plays the music but I like to listening to all different kinds
What song or artist do you hope your teammates don't hear you listening to - I have always been a fan of One Direction but lately have been listening to Justin Bieber.
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you - I have 3 stuffed animals that I take everywhere, they have brought me good luck
What chore do you hate to do - mowing the grass
Who do you admire as a leader (hockey or non hockey) - Derek Jeter
Where is the most interesting place you have visited - Maine, was there for a wedding, had a house on the ocean and it was beautiful
If you could live in another country where would you pick (other than US or Canada) - Sweden
Do you have any pre-game routines or rituals - only a nap and coffee and I'm good
Did you know - Another former Allen American Captain and current Fort Wayne Komets' Captain Jamie Schaafsma has scored 17 goals and 21 points over the last 23 games. For the year, Jamie has 36 points and is a +19.
The second period saw Darren Nowick give MO the lead at the 8:59 mark as Nowick went top shelf off another perfect feed by Dziurzynski for a power play goal. But this lead would be short-lived as Spencer Asuchak scored just 16 seconds later. Asuchak and J. P. Lafontaine won the battle for puck control on the boards behind the MO net. Determined to win again Saturday, Dave Makowski closed out the scoring on a power play goal with a blistering one timer on a perfect feed from Matt Register. Makowski earned the first star of the game for the second night in a row. Chad Costello originated this play and continues his league leading consecutive assist streak.
Despite pulling their goalie with about a minute and a half remaining, MO was unable to tie the score to take this game to overtime.
Allen survived voracious forechecking by the Mavericks in the first period (Missouri's first two goals resulted from forechecking). Through good puck movement and control, Allen was able to thwart forechecking in the second and third periods.
Unfortunately Coach Martinson was unavailable for comments. However, we imagine he was quite pleased with these two games results.
If the playoffs were played today, Allen would face Utah, who is the third different potential playoff opponent this week.
Allen controls their own destiny. With 2 victories next week they can lock up the fourth seed in the Western Conference giving them home ice advantage for the first round in the playoffs.
In the Western Conference there is a 3 way point tie in the West division between Utah, Colorado and Idaho. Colorado holds the tie breaker over the other two teams.
The Kelly Cup Playoffs are scheduled to start on April 13th. Allen's schedule is TBD.
Meet Jake Hildebrand -
 |
| Jake Hildebrand (courtesy of scenebyKimberly.com) |
Along with his bio, we asked Jake the following:
Tell us a little about yourself - I am 22 yrs. old and will graduate this summer from MSU. I will finish classes online. I was born in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and have a sister 2 yrs older than me. I do have a girlfriend back in Michigan.
Did you have a pet growing up - We have a goldendoodle and got a black lab last summer.
Do you have a favorite number and why - #30 has been my favorite as it was my number since I was little, but it is Riley Gill's in Allen so I now wear #1.
Do you have a nickname - Hildy
Hockey Hero - Marc Andre Fleury, I have always liked the way he plays
What is your earliest hockey memory - Got a plastic hockey stick as a gift as a small child, guess my parents got tired of playing with me as they enrolled me in a league at the age of 6-7. I always wanted to play goalie and would not let anyone else in the net.
Describe your style of play - very technical; high compete level; try to be in the right place all the time
How did you get to Allen - spoke with agent after the season and was told a couple of teams had shown interest. With all the success they have had, Allen would be the best fit.
First impression of the ECHL - players are much more methodical and thought out, guys are much smarter
Favorite childhood toys - remote control cars
Favorite motto - "Find a way"
Favorite TV show - Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, watching Scandal right now
What do you like to do away from the rink - Golf - went golfing yesterday, fishing - it's relaxing (make note, Barry!)
What do you know about the Allen Fans - great crowds, great place to play, event center is awesome. I am looking forward to playing some home playoff games here.
Favorite type of music - I listen to a little bit of everything, I am not the guy who plays the music but I like to listening to all different kinds
What song or artist do you hope your teammates don't hear you listening to - I have always been a fan of One Direction but lately have been listening to Justin Bieber.
One thing people would be surprised to learn about you - I have 3 stuffed animals that I take everywhere, they have brought me good luck
What chore do you hate to do - mowing the grass
Who do you admire as a leader (hockey or non hockey) - Derek Jeter
Where is the most interesting place you have visited - Maine, was there for a wedding, had a house on the ocean and it was beautiful
If you could live in another country where would you pick (other than US or Canada) - Sweden
Do you have any pre-game routines or rituals - only a nap and coffee and I'm good
Did you know - Another former Allen American Captain and current Fort Wayne Komets' Captain Jamie Schaafsma has scored 17 goals and 21 points over the last 23 games. For the year, Jamie has 36 points and is a +19.
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