Saturday, March 10, 2018

Allen Beats Utah 5-4 in Shootout, Win Streak at Four, Game Recap, Martinson's Comments, Rematch Preview, Costello's Team Eliminated, Gill's New Son & More

The Allen Americans beat the Utah Grizzlies 5-4 in a shootout last night before a disappointed crowd of 7028 at the Maverik Center. It was the fourth straight win for the Americans which ties their season high. Coach Martinson's one word description of the game was "resiliency" and the Americans had that in spades as they beat the odds over and over. Here are a few examples of what Allen overcame to win the game.

1. Allen was shorthanded again with only 15 skaters and just eight forwards. Tristan King (injury) and Bryan Moore (one game suspension for a slew foot against Idaho on Wednesday) were missing.

2. Allen was out shot 32-23.

3. Allen was 0-5 on the power play.

4. Allen gave up the first goal of the game. Their record when giving up the first goal was 6-19-3-2.

5. Allen trailed 2-1 after the first period. Their record when trailing after one period was 2-12-2-0.

6. Allen trailed 4-3 after the second period. Their record when trailing after two periods was 2-15-1-1.


- Anytime you can comeback from 1-0, 2-1 and 4-3 deficits, get outplayed in overtime and win in a shootout on the road you are the definition of a resilient team. It was a job well done and the good news is the team can play much better tonight


- Goal scorers for Allen were Vincent Arseneau (16 & 17), Casey Pierro-Zabotel (16) and Zach Pochiro (13). Allen was three for three in the shootout with Pierro-Zabotel going first followed by Arseneau and Alex Guptill. There is a 50 second highlight package at ECHL Rewind which may be the worst highlight package ever. Celly highlights may be a better description. Check it out and see if you agree: https://www.echl.com/


- Here is the game recap from the Allen Americans: https://allenamericans.com/americans-win-second-straight-shootout-game-5-4-utah/


- Here is the game recap from the Utah Grizzlies: http://www.utahgrizzlies.com/team-news/headline-news/?article_id=3482


STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS

"I can't remember a game where we left so many players all alone in front of our net. That shouldn't happen once a game let alone three times as it did tonight."

"I would guess our new goalie would have to be really frustrated with our defensive play on all four Utah goals. I know I was in disbelief and very frustrated."

"You can take goals against when the other team makes good plays but their goals tonight were all gift wrapped scoring chances."

"At this time of year it is really unacceptable. We are not only playing to make the playoffs but how guys play now will determine who makes the playoff roster."

"We need to build on how we played in the third period when we gave up only four shots on goal to Utah."

"It was good to get two points after being down in the third period and coming back and the shootout was really good but tomorrow night we have to be better in front of our net."

"With the thin air you could see guys getting tired at the end of each shift. Hopefully we will be a little bit better tomorrow night. We will certainly be better in front of our own net."



ALLEN VS UTAH REMATCH PREVIEW

- The rematch with Utah tonight is a great opportunity for Allen to put a little distance between the Americans and the Grizzlies and it would be a big confidence booster. With a win Allen would have their longest win streak of the season (5 games) and would have already earned six of the 12 points available on this six game road trip. Puck drop tonight is 8:05 CST.


- Allen will have to play better if they expect to win tonight. Coach Martinson mentioned the team did not play well in front of their net and left goalie Jake Paterson out to dry on three of Utah's goals. That is something that must be corrected tonight.


- Bryan Moore will return to the lineup after his one game suspension. Tristan King is day to day with an injury and will most likely not be in the lineup tonight. Spencer Asuchak was given a five minute major penalty for boarding as overtime expired and several have asked if he could be suspended. Since it was the non game misconduct type of boarding major it should not be a suspension. 


- Allen has won four games in a row with little help from the power play. Over the last four games the power play is 6.7% (1-15) including 0-5 last night. The one power play goal was huge as it came in the 2-1 shootout win in Idaho. The penalty kill was perfect last night (0-3) and is at 88.2% (2-17) over the four game win streak.


OTHER COMMENTS

- Allen has not been very good this season when games go beyond regulation time but you would never know that based on the last two games that ended with shootout wins. Prior to the shootout wins in Idaho on Wednesday and Utah last night Allen's record in overtimes was 2-4 and in shootouts 1-2. Thanks to shootout goals by Casey Pierro-Zabotel and Alex Guptill in the last two games the Americans are now 3-2 in shootouts. In their first three shootout games this season Allen converted at 18.8% (3-16) which is one of the lowest conversion rates in the league. In the two shootout wins in the last three days the Americans were 5-7 (71.4%) which is the highest rate in the league.


- Chad Costello's team (Iserlohn Roosters) lost yesterday and has been eliminated from the playoffs. Chad and family should be back in north Texas soon. I assume fans will see plenty of Chad around the Allen Event Center. Have to admit it will be tough seeing him at games unable help out on the ice. Maybe he can be disguised as a recent college grad just starting his pro career.


- With the win last night Allen moved back into fourth place in the Mountain Division one point ahead of Tulsa and two points ahead of Utah. Wichita plays in Tulsa tonight so depending on the outcome of that game and the Allen vs Utah game the Americans could end the night in fourth place just two points out of third place or they could be in sixth place on the outside of the playoffs looking in.


- Congrats to Riley and Angie Gill who welcomed their second boy into the world yesterday. Hudson Riley Gill (7 lbs. 3 oz) joins older brother Jackson in the Gill clan.

Riley and Hudson Gill




DID YOU KNOW:  All three games in Mountain Standard Time last night went beyond regulation which helped create an unusual stat. Every team in the division with the exception of last place Rapid City is now on a points earning winning streak. Here is the list.

8-0-0-2  -  Utah
4-0-0-0  -  Allen
2-0-0-0  -  Tulsa
2-0-0-0  -  Wichita
1-0-0-1  -  Idaho
1-0-0-0  -  Colorado

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