- Allen's inconsistency started from the opening weekend of the season when the Americans lost their first game 5-1 to Kansas City only to turn around the next night and beat Wichita 4-0. In Rapid City this weekend the Americans gave up a 2-0 lead in the first game and a 5-0 lead in game two even though they managed to win both games. In game three yesterday the Americans managed 40 shots on goal but could not beat Rush goalie Adam Carlson.
- The Americans scored five goals in the first 25 minutes (25:33) of the game on Saturday but since that fifth goal have gone over 94 minutes (94:27) without a goal.
- There were certainly some bright spots in the 2-0 loss yesterday. The Americans played better defensively other than a 16 second span in the third period when Rapid City scored both of their goals. Jeremy Brodeur played great in goal with a .947 save percentage. Allen out shot the Rush 40-38 and killed six of seven Rapid City power play opportunities.
- Here is the game recap issued by the Rapid City Rush: https://rapidcityrush.com/en/news/2018/9/rush-ace-allen-with-ace-in-net
- Here are the video highlights that show both of the goals but also numerous outstanding saves by both goalies:
- I had a chance to touch base with coach Steve Martinson after the game and he thought the team played much better defensively but had trouble scoring even though they had plenty of chances. He liked the physicality from the team after playing three games in 48 hours. It is clear there is plenty to work on at practice this week.
- The Americans will take the 400 mile bus trip from Rapid City to Denver this morning and than fly back to DFW. They are expected to be back around 4:00 pm.
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen continues to take way too many minor penalties. They had eight more on Sunday for a total of 55 on the season which is #1 in the ECHL. Allen is also #1 in giving up power play opportunities (44).
- Former players seem to always play well against the Americans. Last week it was Dyson Stevenson with four goals in two games and a Player of the Week performance. This week it was Garrett Klotz. For the entire 2017-18 season Klotz had no goals and four assists. Against Allen on Saturday and Sunday his totals were one goal and two assists.
- It is difficult to see a proud franchise like the Rapid City Rush struggle at the box office. The announced attendance for the three games this weekend was 2035, 2059 and 1799. Not a good sign when the attendance is that low for weekend games. In 2009-10 when Rapid City won the CHL championship, beating the Allen Americans in the finals, their average attendance was 4811. The first year the Rush joined the ECHL (2014-15) their average attendance was down to 3856. Last season average attendance for Rapid City was 3053. This season the Rush are ranked #27 in attendance averaging just 2204. It is still early (five home games) and attendance always increases after Christmas but most owners cannot sustain the losses that come with an average attendance below 2500. The Rush have struggled on the ice finishing last in the Division the past two seasons. If they can be more successful on the ice and this weekend was proof of that possibility as they got four points against the Americans, hopefully that will translate into improved attendance.
- There was some outstanding goalie play in the Allen vs Rapid City series this weekend. On Friday night the #1 star was Allen goalie C.J. Motte and the #2 star was Rush goalie Michael Bitzer. On Saturday Motte was again selected as the #1 star of the game and Rapid City goalie, Adam Carlson was the #3 star. On Sunday Rush goalie, Adam Carlson was the #1 star for his 40 save shutout and Jeremy Brodeur had a .947 save percentage, saving 36 of 38 shots.
- If you haven't seen the highlights from Allen's wild 6-5 overtime win on Saturday here they are:
DID YOU KNOW: Braylon Shmyr has seven of Allen's 24 goals which is 29.2%. Here are the top five ECHL players with the highest percentage of their team's goals. Notice three of the five have played for the Allen Americans.
31.8% - Caleb Herbert (Utah)
31.6% - Alex Kile (Maine)
29.2% - Braylon Shmyr (Allen)
28.6% - Dyson Stevenson (Wichita)
27.8% - Chris Crane (Norfolk)
I haven't watched or listened to the Americans this year but sounds like they are taking too many penalties. Wish RC could be better attendance, need to keep as many teams as possible in the league.
ReplyDeleteAny idea what the average attendance needed to keep teams afloat?
Kevin, the break even number varies widely based on costs such as transportation and building leases and also how much corporate sponsorships contribute to the bottom line. Here are the last teams that went dark with average attendance their last year of operations:
DeleteQuad City - 3450
Elmira - 2300
Alaska - 3623
Some teams historically have low attendance but remain in operation because of very low operating costs. Kalamazoo is a good example. Their attendance the last three seasons has been 2725, 2333 and 2298.