Allen vs Fort Wayne Game Three Preview, Team Photos, Nailers Take 2-1 Lead & Is Red Better

It is game day in Allen as the Americans take on the Fort Wayne Komets at the Allen Event Center (AEC) with puck drop scheduled for 7:05 pm. A great oppourtinty for the Americans to take a 3-0 lead in the series, however, it will take an all out effort against an excellent Fort Wayne team that will be playing desperate.


- Had a chance to attend practice yesterday and for the first time in the playoffs all 23 rostered players were skating and full participants. It doesn't mean everyone is 100% healthy. At this time of year, after almost 90 hockey games, everyone is dealing with bumps and bruises or worse but everyone is available to play.


- A couple of themes that came out of the first two games of this series are related to special teams and even strength goals. The statistical totals after two games show Allen outscoring Fort Wayne 8-5 but the Komets lead in shots 51-49. The big discrepancy is in penalties as Allen has taken 15 penalties for 42 minutes while Fort Wayne has taken 23 penalties for 58 minutes. Allen is 3-13 (23.1%) on the power play and the Komets are 1-6 (16.7%).


- If you break down the 13 goals scored in games one and two, Fort Wayne has a 4-3 lead in even strength goals and Allen has a 3-1 lead in power play goals. In addition, Allen has a short handed and empty net goal.


- The following is how Allen and Fort Wayne rank among the four remaining playoff teams in some statistical categories considering just the playoff game results:

Penalty Minutes Per Game: Allen 4th (13.80) - Fort Wayne 2nd (16.46)
Goals Scored Per Game: Allen 4th (2.87) - Fort Wayne 1st (3.62)
Goals Allowed Per Game: Allen 2nd (2.40) - Fort Wayne 3rd (2.54)
Shots For Per Game: Allen 4th (29.60) - Fort Wayne 2nd (34.77)
Shots Against Per Game: Allen 3rd (28.53) - Fort Wayne 2nd (26.85)
Power Play Percentage: Allen 1st (23.5%) - Fort Wayne 2nd (21.0%)
Penalty Kill Percentage: Allen 4th (83.6%) - Fort Wayne 3rd (87.3%)
Plus/Minus: Allen 4th (0) - Fort Wayne 2nd (+43)


- If you look at home vs road special teams stats it is quite different than the overall percentages. Remember, Fort Wayne is 4-1 on the road in the playoffs with their only loss coming in round one against Cincinnati in overtime. The Komets have the best road power play percentage in the playoffs (30.8%) compared to Allen's home power play of 20.7%. The Komets have also been excellent on the road killing penalties allowing 2-26 (92.3%). Allen has been great killing penalties at home allowing 2-22 (90.9%).


- Special teams is always a key factor in who wins but in this series it seems even more so. Whether Fort Wayne can stay out of the penalty box and whether Allen can execute on the power play will go a long way in determining the outcome of the game tonight. Justin Cohn from the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette talked about this very issue in his most recent story, "Komets need to stay even".....http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/professional/komets/Komets-need-to-stay-even-13120273


- Chad Costello had this to say about the keys to victory in game three tonight:

- Fast starts and the first goal is also a good predictor of the outcome in playoff games. Allen is 8-1 when scoring first and Fort Wayne is 6-2. The Americans and Komets have a combined record of 11-2 when leading after the first period and are a perfect 13-0 when leading after the second period. Getting the first goal and maintaining the lead is key.


- The referees scheduled tonight are Andy Thackaberry (#22) and Peter Tarnaris (#23). The linesmen will be Charlie O'Connor (#43) and Brent Hooks (#61).



OTHER COMMENTS

-  Photographer Dianne Webster took the official team photo this week and shared a few of the unofficial photos as well. Check these out:

Smile boys

General Manager, Coach and team photo setup man

Look close, coach Martinson asked Arseneau to put on his glasses for this one

- In the Eastern Conference final the Wheeling Nailers beat the South Carolina Stingrays last night and now lead the series 2-1. Game four is Saturday in Wheeling. Andrew Miller from the Charleston Post and Courier has the complete details in his story, "Stingrays blow another third period lead: Nailers rally to win, 2-1".....http://www.postandcourier.com/20160518/160519353/stingrays-blow-another-third-period-lead-nailers-rally-to-win-2-1



- Saw this on social media but not sure where it originated.  It was in reference to the eight game suspension handed out to Texas Ranger second baseman Rougned Odor. Funny but true.

Punch someone in the face:
NBA - 20 game suspension
MLB - 8 game suspension
NFL - 2 game suspension
NHL -  5 minute penalty and do it again next period 



DID YOU KNOW: The Allen Americans will be wearing their red jerseys tonight and there is some research that suggests that, in itself, gives them an advantage. Thanks to Joe McMahon, Account Executive for the Americans for passing along this interesting story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/6097954/Why-teams-in-red-win-more.html