I have to admit it gets more difficult every day to find a creative way to write about another Allen Americans loss. Last night it was a different kind of loss even though the end result was a 5-3 defeat by the Kansas City Mavericks before a crowd of 3729 at the Allen Event Center.
- Allen didn't give up an early lead like has happened so many times in this young season because they never had a lead in the game. The Americans didn't allow five unanswered goals like they did on Friday night but they did allow the first four goals of the game.
- When you have lost every home game (0-5) played in a season that is a month old, moral victories are not what you are looking for. However, if you can find a silver lining in the defeat last night it was the Americans kept working even when they got down 4-0 early in the third period. With the help of two quick goals after pulling the goalie, Allen cut the Mavericks lead to 4-3 with 15 seconds remaining in the game. Kansas City scored an empty net goal of the ensuing faceoff to make the final score 5-3.
- The Americans have had good periods during this losing streak but have not been able to put together more than one or two per game. Friday night Allen started off great with a 2-0 lead and a shot advantage of 11-1 midway through the first period before allowing five unanswered goals. Last night Allen had their worst first period of the season. The Americans took six minor penalties in the first period, gave up two power play goals and were outshot 20-4. In the third period Allen scored three goals including their first power play goal against the Mavericks all season and out shot Kansas City 19-5.
- Goals scorers for Allen were Zach Pochiro (7), Pavel Jenys (1) and Joel Chouinard (2). Here are the video highlights:
Here is the game recap issued by the Kansas City Mavericks: https://kcmavericks.com/en/news/2018/11/postgame-snapshots-mavs-finish-week-long-sweep-of-allen
STEVE MARTINSON'S POST GAME COMMENTS
Here are Steve Martinson's post game comments to the season ticket holders:
"It was pitiful to watch that first period tonight. The only thing we can build from this game is we had a stronger third period and didn't quit"
"I have switched gears in talking about pride and proving people wrong. Some guys are here for different reasons, we have picked up some guys recently that were not playing for other teams. I think we have to have a little chip on our shoulder and prove that we can play. I have to look at the positives because I don't have the ability right now to sit guys out if the don't play hard. We didn't win many battles in that first period."
"The line up is going to be the same tomorrow (Sunday) because we don't have extra players. Wichita has lost a couple of players so maybe we can go there and take advantage of them having some guys out."
"I thought Ranger looked good in his first game. He had some jam, moved his feet and made some plays."
"It is too bad we didn't have the third period in the first period. We just aren't playing 60 minutes of hockey."
"It is tough when some of your top players take themselves out of the game with penalties when we are losing and trying to comeback."
"I know the games have been painful for me to watch and I am sure they are painful for you as well. Hopefully we will get a couple of guys back next week."
"One of the things I say to players is if you are covered stand in front of the goalie because then you have two guys screening the goalie. We have too many guys that want to stand off to the side of the net. We are not that a smart team right now. Hockey is a simple game and I always say you don't have to be the smartest guy to be a smart player and you can be a smart guy and be a dumb player."
ALLEN VS WICHITA GAME PREVIEW
- The scheduling gods didn't look kindly on Allen this week. Four games in six days, three straight games against the same opponent, three games in less than 48 hours and a 4:05 start this afternoon. To make matters worse Allen had to travel to Wichita overnight after the loss to Kansas City while the Thunder had last night off.
- Wichita will certainly have the fresher legs in the game this afternoon but it happens many times the tired team that travels overnight to play a rested team prevails. There is no doubt Allen has gotten off to a worse start (3-9-0-1) than Wichita (3-3-3-0). However, the Americans three wins have all come on the road. Allen's record on the road is 3-4-0-1 and Wichita's home record is 2-3-1-0. One of the Americans road wins was a 4-0 shutout in Wichita on October 13.
- One of these teams is going to break a long losing streak today. Wichita hasn't won a game since they beat Allen 4-1 to spoil the Americans home opener on October 20th. The Thunder have lost five straight games however three of them were in overtime. Allen has lost six straight games, all in regulation. The Americans last win was a 6-5 overtime win in Rapid City on October 27th.
- A key to the game will be who can defend and still score some goals. Both teams have had trouble scoring goals. Allen is ranked #20 averaging 2.77 goals per game. Wichita isn't much better ranked #19 at 2.78 goals per game. Coupled with not scoring both teams give up a lot of goals. Wichita is ranked #19 in goals allowed, giving up an average of 3.44 goals per game. Allen is last (#27) in the ECHL allowing an average 4.08 goals per game.
- Special teams will certainly play a key role this afternoon. In the three games Allen and Wichita have played this season they have a combined power play of 1-33 (3.0%) The Americans are 0-16 and the Thunder are 1-18. If you look at overall road vs home special team percentages Allen has the advantage. On the power play Allen is 17.6% on the road while Wichita is 4.0% at home. On the penalty kill Allen is 87.8% on the road while the Thunder are 82.1% at home.
- Allen will have to find a way to keep Dyson Stevenson in check today. The last two times these teams have played (both Wichita wins) Stevenson accounted for five points (4G, 1A) and won Player of the Week honors. Allen's leading scorer against Wichita with five points are Dante Salituro (2G, 3A) and Braylon Shmyr (4G, 1A) who is not with the team.
- The referee scheduled for the game is Chris Pontes who was the referee in two of the three games (Tuesday & Friday) against Kansas City when there were several controversial calls. The linesmen will be Chris Provost (#50) and Addison Brush (#80).
OTHER COMMENTS
- Allen's losing records are starting to pile up quickly. They have lost six games straight which ties the all time record set last season. They are 0-5 at home which is the worst start in team history. The only other season that comes close is last season when Allen started 1-2-2-0 at home.
- Looking at the standings page of the ECHL website also gives you a statistical wake up call how bad this season has gone for the Allen Americans. Here is where Allen ranks in the ECHL across the headings on the standings page. Judge for yourself how bad this start has been for Allen:
#3 - Games played (13)
#26 - Wins (3)
#1 - Losses (9)
#26 - Points (7)
#27 - Winning percentage (.269)
#16 - Goals for (36)
#27 - Goals against (53)
#2 - Penalty minutes (272)
- Braylon Shmyr was a healthy scratch for the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL) last night as they lost to Hershey. Braylon has played in just one game since being called up on October 31.
- There are just two games on tap in the ECHL today. In addition to Allen at Wichita the Toledo Walleye are at the Brampton Beast.
DID YOU KNOW:
- I posted this separately but it is amazing whenever a record is broken in a league that has been around for over 30 years.
There was a record set in the game last night. The Allen Americans and Kansas City Mavericks set an all time ECHL record for the fastest two goals by both teams. Joel Chouinard (Allen) scored at 19:43 of the third period and Mark Cooper (Kansas City) scored (empty net) at 19:45. The old record (3 seconds) was set in 1993. Here are the other fastest goals in the record book:
Fastest four goals, both teams - 56 seconds (1996)
Fastest three goals, both teams - 16 seconds (January 27, 2018)
Fastest three goals, one team - 21 seconds (1988)
Fastest two goals, one team - 3 seconds (1992, 1996, 2005)
Fastest overtime goal - 5 seconds (2002)
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