- The Americans continued to play well on defense holding their opponent to one goal for the second game in a row. Allen has allowed a total of only 10 goals in their last five games. They held Idaho, the league leader in shots per game (42.10) to 29 shots. It was the first time all season Idaho had been held to fewer than 30 shots.
- The penalty kill unit was a game saver killing all five Idaho power plays including a 5-on-3 for 1:25 in the third period. Allen's penalty kill percentage at home is now at 94.3% (33-35). The Americans best penalty killer was Stephon Williams who saved 28 of 29 shots on the night and raised his save percentage to .934, the fourth best in the ECHL.
- Allen scored the first goal of the game for only the fourth time in 12 games this season. The Americans are a perfect 4-0 when scoring first.
- The power play struggles for the Americans continued going 0-5 last night and falling to 7-59 (11.9%) on the season.
- When Allen took a 2-0 lead midway through the second period it seemed like the mindset changed. This was commented on by both players and coach Martinson after the game. Scoring became more important than winning for too many players. It didn't cost the Americans last night but it will if it continues.
- The goal scorers for Allen were Peter MacArthur (2) and Vincent Arseneau (2). You can watch the video highlights at ECHL Rewind. Things to watch for on the highlights are great setup passes by Bryan Moore on the MacArthur goal, by Miles Liberati on the Arseneau goal and the traffic in front of the net on the lone Idaho goal. Here is the link: https://www.echl.com/
- Here is the game recap issued by the Allen Americans with post game quotes from defenseman Mike Gunn: https://allenamericans.com/americans-hold-2-1-win-idaho/
- Here is the game recap from the Idaho Steelheads: http://www.idahosteelheads.com/events/idaho-steelheads-vs-allen-americans-7/#gametab-2
STEVE MARTINSON'S COMMENTS
- Here is Steve Martinson's pregame interview with game host Kayla McLain:
- It was pretty clear from his post games comments that coach Martinson was not happy with the way some players performed once the Americans took a 2-0. Here is what he had to say:
- I thought we were playing good and moving our feet and then we took the 2-0 lead we had a bunch of guys that just wanted to score. It was mostly guys that were here in the past taking shortcuts thinking it is more important to score than to win the game.
- We didn't get in front of the shot from the point on Idaho's lone goal because of some miscommunication and then we didn't clear the guy out in front of the net.
- I liked our penalty kill in the third period but I didn't like the rest of our play. After they pulled their goalie we were trying to score an empty goal rather than just move the puck out of our zone.
- On our power plays we didn't shoot the puck. We just keep moving it around on the outside and don't shoot. I need to get two guys in front of the net and find someone that wants to shoot the puck from the point.
- Colby McAuley played hard and was physical and could have had a couple of goals. I thought he was dependable at both ends of the ice.
- I don't typically go in the locker room after a game because I prefer to look at the videotape before talking to players but tonight I did. I went in the locker room and called the guys out. I told them all they care about is scoring. I am all for scoring four or five goals but don't cheat to do it, just play hard, skate and move your feet.
- Defensively we were hard to play against. We had some good hits.
- Liberati has been great since he has been back in the lineup and has been fun to watch. That was just a fabulous play he made on Arseneau's goal.
- I don't think we are there yet but we are definitely playing better. We are getting good goaltending. Our power play has been anemic. If we can add a power play goal each game that will make a big difference. In the past we have averaged a goal every four or five power plays.
- We have 13 forwards right now and we have never carried more than 11. It will be hard to carry 13 especially when you have guys that don't want to sit out.
- Zach Pochiro was put on the 21 day injured reserve. He has a broken finger.
- I thought in the first period we had a lot of good shots within 20 feet of the goal that we could have buried. We could have easily had three or four goals. They were great scoring chances.
OTHER COMMENTS
- For the rematch tonight with Idaho it should be more of the same and if the Americans can get off to a good start again, hold down the shots against and get a power play goal they will win. It will be a different atmosphere with a larger crowd and some of the Dallas Stars front office and coaching staff in attendance to watch their ECHL affiliate. With the Dallas brass watching you know the Steelheads will be going all out.
- In other action in the Mountain Division last night Colorado blew a 3-0 lead with less than eight minutes remaining in the game and lost to Rapid City 4-3 in overtime. Wichita continued their winning ways beating Kansas City on the road 6-2. The Thunder improved their record to 9-1 which is the best start in franchise history. They lead the ECHL in points (18) and winning percentage (.900).
- With their win last night Allen moved into sole possession of third place in the Mountain Division standings which remain very tight with three points separating second and sixth place. Here are the current Mountain Division standings with games played in parentheses:
18 points - Wichita (10 games)
15 points - Colorado (12 games)
14 points - Allen (12 games)
13 points - Tulsa (11 games)
12 points - Utah (13 games)
12 points - Idaho (11 games)
8 points - Rapid City (10 games)
- The ECHL hit a big milestone last night as they honored the 100 millionth regular season fan in league history. It all took place in Kalamazoo. Here are the details: https://www.echl.com/echl-welcomes-100-millionth-fan-league-history
- For the second consecutive year the ECHL All-Star game will be televised live exclusively on the NHL Network. The format for the game has changed this year with each of the four divisions being represented by a team. Here are the details: https://www.echl.com/2018-ccm-echl-star-classic-televised-nationally-live-nhl-network
- The Americans paid tribute to Bill Mazzeo, the well known and well liked usher who past away unexpectedly this week with a moment of silence before the game. I had a chance to stop by the suite provided to Bill's extended family who are in town for his memorial service and it was a celebration of his love for the Allen Americans. Bill's daughter, Danielle, told me her dad was looking down at the AEC enjoying the attention and smiling about an Allen victory on the night he was remembered.
DID YOU KNOW: If you look at the ECHL stats the Allen Americans are ranked #13 in goals scored averaging 3.25 goals per game. The number is misleading and masks what has been a difficult time for the Americans to put the puck in the net. Allen scored 19 goals in their first three games and led the league averaging 6.33 goals per game. In their last nine games the Americans have scored 20 goals for an average of 2.22 goals per game. If you eliminate those first three games the Allen goals per game average of 2.22 is the worst in the ECHL. Quad City is currently last in the league with an average of 2.33.
Thanks for the update.
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